Where else can one get help?
Referral
Services:
PA Guideline (Bradford,
Tioga, & Sullivan C.) 1-800-332-6718
NY
First Call for Help.................. 1-888-266-5252
These
two organizations can put you in touch with other agencies that can help you
with specific needs.
Welfare Offices:
PA:
Towanda......... 1-800-542-3938or 570-562-9186
NY/Owego/Tioga County Dept.
of Social Services.......................... 1-607-687-8300
For
those who qualify, these organizations provide a variety of supports as well as
case management and financial planning.
Police Departments:
Waverly,
NY.................................. 607-565-2836
South
Waverly, PA.......................... 570-888-2921
Heating
Assistance:
PA: LIHEAP Towanda BCAO.... 1-800-542-3938
NY: HEAP (OwegoTioga Opportunities) 1-607-687-4222
These are federally
funded programs to help eligible low-income persons with their fuel costs (gas,
oil, electric)
Food Assistance:
Valley Food Pantry........................... 607-565-8718
(Mon. – Fri. 10am-12noon &
Catholic Charities Food Pantry........... 607-565-7580
(Monday – Friday
Salvation Army Food Pantry.............. 570-888-6899
(Mon., Tues., Wed., & Fri.
10am-12noon)
WIC
(Women,
Infants, Children)................ 1-800-367-6367
Church
on the Hill............................. 570-888-1967
(Weekends & other emergencies when
food pantries are closed)
Free Fellowship Meals every Thursday evening
· 1st Thursday: Waverly Methodist ............
· 2nd Thursday:
· 3rd Thursday: Waverly St. James R.C......
· Last Thursday:
Redeemer ..........................................
· If there are 5 Thursdays in the
month, the 4th Thursday is
done by
the Waverly Presbyterian .......................
The
Churches of The Bridge
Churches of
First
Presbyterian................................ 570-888-2269
New
Life Mennonite........................... 570-888-8281
Trinity
Episcopal................................. 570-888-5715
Churches of Sayre/South Waverly
Church
of the Epiphany..................... 570-888-9641
Church
of the Redeemer.................... 570-888-2270
First
Baptist......................................... 570-888-2237
First
Presbyterian................................ 570-888-2143
First
United Methodist...................... 570-888-2243
Greater
Valley Assembly of God...... 570-888-3202
Keystone
Baptist................................ 570-888-2347
Pilgrim
Holiness.................................. 570-888-2417
Salvation
Army................................... 570-888-2153
Sayre
Christian.................................... 570-888-2683
Seventh
Day Adventist..................... 570-888-1448
Churches of Waverly
Christian
& Missionary
Christian
Life Church......................... 607-565-9777
Church
of the Nazarene..................... 607-565-2286
Faith
Southern Baptist....................... 607-565-7040
First
Baptist......................................... 607-565-9593
First
Presbyterian................................ 607-565-4034
Grace
Episcopal................................... 607-565-2608
Lockwood
United Methodist............ 607-565-8650
North
Waverly Chapel....................... 607-565-9342
St.
James Catholic............................... 607-565-2014
United
Methodist of Waverly.......... 607-565-8650
Churches of Other Areas
Church
on the Hill/Milan................... 570-888-1967
Federated
Church/East
Litchfield
United Methodist.............. 570-247-2293
The Bridge of the Penn-York Valley
Churches
Bridging the
gaps of life in the
name of Jesus Christ
Clearinghouse
570-888-8826
The clearinghouse of The Bridge
handles and directs all calls for the various ministries within The
Bridge. Bob, our clearinghouse
coordinator, is available Monday through Friday
2006 Officers
President:
Don Jayne
Vice President: Rev. J. Steven Reynolds
Secretary:
Kim
Paul
Assistant Treasurer: Peg Wanck
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28
What is The Bridge?
The Bridge
is a non-profit organization of churches in the
Conceived in May 1987
and incorporated in June 1988, The Bridge is comprised of lay and
clergy representing Protestant, Roman Catholic, and independent churches having
“mainline” and evangelical persuasions.
The
Board of Directors of The Bridge consists of one clergy and two
lay people from each participating church.
In addition, other non-voting members, designated by the churches, may
also participate in the activities of The Bridge. The Board of Directors meets once a month on
the second Thursday of the month at
Why is the ministry
called “The Bridge?”
The
name, The Bridge, was chosen because it is our mission to span
the troubled waters in the lives of our neighbors.
Why was The Bridge built?
The Bridge
was built because we believe our neighbors in need represent the invisible
Christ for when we minister to them we minister to Him. The Bridge is an ecumenical
ministry to that neighbor as a witness to the love of Christ. It seeks to minister to the “least” in our
community, those often disenfranchised by our culture, those in need of
assistance passing through our villages and those who are waiting for help from
a cumbersome social service system. The
Bridge provides a safety net for those in immediate need. All are helped regardless of background,
race, color, or persuasion.
Our
intent is not to duplicate what other agencies are doing. We seek to provide financial and spiritual
support in times of crisis and emergency.
What assistance does The Bridge provide?
Vouchers: Vouchers are issued
for emergency assistance by the clergy of The Bridge for those
who meet the eligibility requirements including those related to geographic
residence (except for transients), previous help from The Bridge,
and family income guidelines as determined through the completion of an
interview & application. Vouchers
are mainly issued for:
Shelter: for people facing eviction (need an eviction notice), needing a security deposit to secure housing, or needing over night
shelter.
Utilities: for those in danger of having their gas,
electric, or water turned off (need a shut-off notice).
Food: for those needing a meal after Food Bank
hours.
Transportation: for those stranded and unable to get
transportation out of the community.
Other emergency situations: other monetary crises may be considered once
the proper eligibility has been established.
There
is a limit to what a family can receive (generally up to $100 every 6 months),
but each case is decided on an individual basis.
Furniture: Helping Hands: Helping Hands is
the furniture ministry of The Bridge. Furniture is available to those with a
voucher. Donations of good, used
furniture are always needed especially beds, mattresses, tables & chairs, and
dressers. Call the Clearinghouse,
570-888-8826, for more information including making arrangements for donations.
Clothing: Clothes Closet: The
Clothes Closet of The Bridge is located at the
North Waverly Chapel, 40 State Route 34, Waverly, NY, in a free standing
building behind the church. Clothing is
available without a voucher and free of charge on Tuesdays 6:30p-8:30p and
Wednesdays 12:00n-2:00p. Donations of
good, clean clothes and small household items including children’s books and
toys are appreciated. Call 607-565-4795
for more information or for an emergency need.
Clothing: Kid’s At Risk: This ministry operates
through the Valley school district teachers, nurses, social workers and
instructional support teams who identify needs especially for clothing, contact
the Kid’s At Risk coordinator for the
needed items, and distribute them accordingly.
In addition, hygiene kits have been provided to each school to be given
to those with hygiene needs.
Quilts
for the Homeless: My Brother’s Keeper
Quilts are made and
available for the homeless in our Valley and beyond. A group of Christian workers meets every
Tuesday at the
How do you receive services from The
Bridge?
Clients
are encouraged to call the Clearinghouse, 570-888-8826 between
How does The Bridge get its support?
The ministry of The
Bridge is growing and gave over $55,000 in grants in 2005, which does
not include the thousands of dollars worth of furniture, clothing, and other
items which were also distributed. Over
thirty churches in the Valley support The Bridge as well as
organizations such as The United Way and The Community Chest and many
individuals in the community. Donations
to the ministry are appreciated and are tax deductible. Please send cash donations to:
The
Bridge