Sandi Wise has dedicated more than 30 years to the non-profit community in Berks, and when Friend, Inc. needed a hand, she was there to lend it. Today, after eight years with the multi-service agency, Sandi is running a well-oiled organization committed to strengthening the lives of the residents of Northeastern Berks County.
Q: What services does Friend, Inc. provide? We run the Northeastern Berks Food Pantry as well as programming to help local families with their financial needs. For instance, if they need help to pay for important utilities, we can help. We also offer other case management services, help them apply for different benefits, and make sure they’re taking advantage of the resources available to them in this area.
Q: How did Friend get started? It was originally founded in 1972 by several churches. They were trying to address the drug issues in the community at that time. Since then, they have shifted their focus toward providing food and other support services. The churches still support us, and today we’re a United Way of Berks County Partner Agency.
Q: How does the pantry work? We purchase our food from the food bank using the funds we raise at our events, and we also get a lot of donations from area churches and schools that do food drives for us. We help anyone who needs food, but we are a client-choice pantry, so if they choose to, they can schedule an appointment to come in and we ensure their case manager is available to meet with them. We also have a student pantry at Kutztown University at the Lutheran Center. There are quite a few food-insecure students that we help; we served more than 1,000 students there last year, and it gives the faculty and students an opportunity to volunteer, too.
Q: You have a big fundraising event coming up this summer, right? Yes! Registration for our 10th annual Brake the Cycle of Poverty bike ride is open now. It’s on Aug. 10, and riders can register for different distances: this year we have a 10-, 25-, 40- and 62-mile course. And believe it or not, we get a lot of riders who do the 62! It starts at Saucony Creek Brewing Company and runs all the way up to Hawk Mountain and back.
Q: How did you get involved with Friend? I started as the Executive Director here eight years ago. At the time, I was home recovering from some heath issues when I was informed by the United Way that they were looking for someone. It’s been a good fit for me because I know where our clients are coming from; I’ve been there. I’ve experienced some of the things they are going through, and I’ve worked with the United Way and in the non-profit world for about 30 years.
Q: How has the community responded to your efforts? Berks County is very generous, not just with funding, but also with volunteerism and giving of themselves to help those that need it. We’re small, but we know we make a difference, so we just have to keep pushing. Ideally, we’ll get to a point when no one needs us. But right now, a lot of people do, and that’s what we’re here for.
Expanding Their Reach. There are two new initiatives in the works this year: a job fair and a resource fair to bring all area human resource agencies together. For updates on all Friend, Inc. events, visit friendinc.org.
Need a Friend? If you or someone you know could use a hand, call 610.683.7790 to schedule an appointment to meet with a case worker to discuss your needs.
