Community of Caring

Provides food, clothing and shelter for those in need in Erie County and throughout the world.

Emergency Shelter
COC provides emergency and transitional shelter to homeless individuals (single adults). Unfortunately we do not have facilities for families and children.
Residents receive a safe bed with bedding, bathroom and laundry facilities. They also receive 3 meals and a snack daily. We provide links to other services which will help them reach their goals (These goals are usually permanent housing and a stable income.)
Residents must follow simple standards of behavior and are expected to participate in the life of the community by doing chores. If they have income, they are expected to contribute $110/month in shared expense. People with food stamps share a portion of their monthly allocation to help defray the cost of meals and coffee. If someone does not have income we dont kick them out! We help them try to move forward.

Hot Meals
A hot meal is served at noon each to the community at large. The only requirement to receive a meal is that you be hungry! If you ever have some free time during the day, feel free to come for a free lunch.
Finally Home Shelter + Care
This program provides permanent subsidized housing and support services to up to 10 chronically homeless disabled persons.
Participants must meet specific eligibility guidelines to qualify for this program, and are usually referred by someone in Homeless Case Management. For more information or to apply call John Yungwirth or Glinda Atkinson, program coordinator, at 814-456-6661.

Food Pantry
The COC Food Pantry distributes food 3 times a week. On Tuesday we offer the areas only pantry specifically for diabetics.
Food is distributed on Wednesday to the first half of the alphabet from A to L, on Friday to the other half from M to Z.
To receive services people must meet income guidelines and live within our service area as determined by Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania.

Dayenu House
Intergenerational Family Support Center
Dayenu" (Dye-yay-noo) is a Hebrew word meaning "enough". Its an expression of gratitude. Its a way of appreciating all that God has done for us.
This community center on the corner of 21st and German is located near the geographical center of the city of Erie. It serves as a location for meals, activities, and events.
Every Sunday a Sunday Family Dinner is served free of charge to anyone who comes. Dinner starts at 3 p.m. and includes some scripture, praise and meditations.
In the summer Dayenu House is the location for the Summer Launch Program, which provides food to children and job training to teens.