Chester Eastside, Inc.

We are a nonprofit (501(c)(3) organization that has served the people of Chester for forty years. CEI bagan as a ministry of the Presbyterian Church and then incorporated in 2014. We have a board of directors who set policies, and a staff with two full time and four part time employees. All of our programs and maintained by volunteers - more than 100 total. 

We offer the following programs: 

An After-School Program and summer camp for students in grades 1-5. The After-School Program operates every day of the school year from September to May and the Camp operates in the month of July. The After-School Program is open from 3-6pm each weekday and begins with a full, healthy, and balanced meal. Then there are two 45 minute sessions: one with a partner who offers and arts-based curriculum; the other a literacy program. There is not charge to parents, and the capacity is 25 students. 

The Open Cupboard food pantry is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 11am-12:30pm. Anyone from DELCO is eligible. We offer six days worth of meals (18) for each member of a household. We  use the "shopping model" where guests can choose the food items they prefer, and guests can return once every thirty days. 

The Open Table hot meals program is open to anyone and serves meals on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 11:00am, and the third and fourth Thursdays at 6:30pm. The food is catered by Everybody Eats Philly, and restaurant and caterer in Chester. 

The Open Closet clothes closet is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00am-10:30am. Guests are allowed to gather one large bag of items that includes all manny of clothins, household items, hygiene products, and diapers. 

The Wellness Center is open each Wednesday from 9am-1pm, and welcomes anyone in need of assistance with mental or physical health. 

Legal Aid is available from a lawyer with Episcopal Legal Services on the second Wednesday of each month at 11:00am.

The Community Garden produces food that is distributed through the Open Cupboard. Volunteers operate the whole program and there are twelve plots available for neighbors to occupy to grow their own produce. 

We also host 4-5 community events and/or programs each year that are designed to provide the needs of residents, while at the same time building relationships and community.