By Sheree Haubrich, Centro Hispano Reading Public Innovators
When news began to circulate that Pennsylvania state food assistance was at risk of ending, we felt the shift almost immediately across our network. It surfaced in worried conversations, in schools already carrying more than their share, and in the quiet recognition that families who were barely managing would now be asked to survive without a safety net. By the time we gathered for our October mini-workspace, the concern was no longer abstract. It was clear, shared, and pressing. We could name the fear — but more importantly, we knew we had to act.
We spent time sitting with what this loss would mean for our community — the desperation it was surfacing and the weight families were already carrying. And in that reckoning, we also recognized something else. As a network, we had been preparing for a moment like this all along — learning how to collaborate across roles, honoring one another’s capacity, and trusting each other enough to move together.
This is why members of the After-School Activities (ASA) team — already deeply connected to the students and families most affected — leaned into partnership with Southwest Middle School, Communities In Schools of Eastern PA, and Helping Harvest. Together, these partners stepped into the moment with clear eyes and open hearts. Months of close, relational after-school work had already revealed what statistics never could — meals carrying more weight than intended, children bringing hunger with them into the school day, and families quietly doing their best to hold things together. As the deadline drew closer, the network named what it was seeing, and it became impossible to remain in observation mode. Compassion demanded movement. The work had to shift — from awareness to response — without delay.
In November, that response became tangible. A food pantry opened inside Southwest Middle School, intentionally placed at the auditorium entryway — a space families already knew and trusted. The choice of location mattered. It signaled access without barriers and dignity without explanation. Since its opening on Nov. 19, 2025, the pantry has operated on a consistent rhythm, opening on the third Wednesday of each month, offering something many families were losing elsewhere: reliability.
This effort builds on an extension of the pantry model that has been operating since 2021 at Southern Middle School (SOMS). On distribution days, social workers, counselors, school security staff, and even student groups step in to serve. Emergency food bags are also made available to families at both locations when urgent needs arise. Family feedback — paired with community data provided by Helping Harvest — helped Communities In Schools of Eastern PA identify food access as a growing barrier in the area. The leadership team at SWMS agreed: this was not only a need for school families, but for the broader community. The goal is clear — schools should be places where people feel welcomed, supported, and grounded in a sense of belonging.
As this work took hold at the school level, the conversation widened. Across the network, innovators began asking how moments like this could be strengthened — not as isolated responses, but as part of a more coordinated approach to food insecurity. Building on earlier ASA conversations and a breakout discussion at a recent ASA meeting, it became clear that what was emerging needed structure, shared leadership, and room to grow.
Out of that clarity, a Food Security Subcommittee is now forming. Led by Courtney Shober through her role with Berks Agricultural Resource Network, and aligned with ongoing work within B.A.R.N.’s Urban Agriculture Development Committee and the emerging Urban Ag Working Group convened by the Wyomissing Foundation, the subcommittee is rooted in a simple but urgent goal: to move from parallel efforts to shared impact.
This group will bring together organizational leaders and community partners who care deeply about access, equity, and collaboration. Together, they will work to identify shared priorities, strengthen coordination, and improve how food-related resources and information are communicated across Reading. The intent is practical and measurable — advancing food access, education, and related supports by working together rather than in isolation. The proposed commitment is a monthly 60- to 90-minute meeting, likely virtual, between regular ASA gatherings.
Innovators or partners who feel drawn to this work are invited to step forward. If you — or someone in your organization or network — would like to contribute capacity, insight, or experience, reply directly to Courtney Shober (berksagresourcenetwork@gmail.com) to continue the conversation.
This is innovation at street level — not theory, but practice. Not urgency without direction, but uncertainty met with courage, conversation shaped into collaboration, and action grounded in the real lives of students and families.
Upcoming GRTT events
Harwood Essentials Orientation
Over the past year, many new people have joined — or expressed interest in joining — the growing network of public innovators working across Reading. This two-part orientation will introduce the community-driven approach that has shaped this work since 2021 and connect those who are new, curious, or returning for a refresher.
- Part 1: Feb. 25, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (lunch will be provided), at the United Way Office, 25 N. 2nd St., Suite 101, Reading
- Part 2: March 11, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Registration is required: forms.gle/TLHzV17N2Rfe8k2C6
We strongly encourage all public innovators to share this invitation widely with colleagues, coworkers, and community members who may be interested in contributing to this work collectively.
ESL Conversation Dinner
The ESL team continues to coordinate monthly ESL conversation dinners with partner hosts across the community. This event creates a welcoming environment where English language learners can practice real conversation, build confidence, and feel supported by the wider community.
- March 19, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at Centro Cristiano Palabra de Fe, 2151 Kutztown Road, Reading
RSVP: Auria Bradley at abradley@racc.edu or call 610-372-4721 ext. 5120.
*If you plan to volunteer as a conversation partner, please email Carolyn Lugo at ezekiel37spirit@gmail.com
Professional Development Opportunity for Adult ESL Teachers and Tutors
Save the date for a free half-day mini-conference for both paid staff and volunteers who are teaching or tutoring adult English language learners in Berks County. This will be an opportunity to build teaching skills, share resources, and make meaningful connections with others. All teaching experience levels welcome, including individuals who don’t teach currently but want to get involved!
- April 11, 2026, in the morning, with specific times still TBA, at Alvernia University CollegeTowne
Registration details are coming soon.
*If you would like to make sure you receive the link to register, please email ESL Team member Valeri Harteg at vharteg@wyofound.org.
Where the work continues
Parents Circle
Fostering the exchange of ideas, support, information, and resources. This program is aimed at those raising children of all ages and families of any background.
- March 4, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Goggleworks Center for the Arts, 201 Washington St., Reading
Email Edna Garcia-Dipini at edna.rize@gmail.com for more information.
Share your story: What’s moving in Reading
Have a moment worth lifting — a small win, a new partnership, a spark of belonging, a lesson learned, or an upcoming gathering? We want to hear it and help it ripple across our Innovators Network.
Email Sheree Haubrich at shaubrich@centrohispano.org, with the subject line: Innovator Story: [Project/Neighborhood].
Include (brief bullets are perfect):
- What happened and who was involved
- Where and when it took place (neighborhood/venue)
- Why it matters (impact, shift, or learning)
- Any dates/links/flyers (PNG/PDF welcome)
- One to two photos (with permission to share)
Let’s keep naming the good so we can multiply it. Your story strengthens our collective work.
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