Downtown Daily Bread

About

Downtown Daily Bread (DDB) is an Emergency Kitchen which provides a nourishing, hot meal for the poor and homeless of downtown Harrisburg. This is done at no cost to the recipient. The simple but nutritious food is served from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the Hospitality House of the Boyd Memorial Building of the Pine Street Presbyterian Church in downtown Harrisburg. Lunch is served daily, including weekends and holidays.

Filling a need in our Community

In 2005, Downtown Daily Bread served 34,700 clients. This number reflects a 20% increase over a two year period. Of the clients served, internal surveys have indicated that one-quarter of these clients were homeless. The DDB definition of “homeless” describes an individual who has no permanent address and no permanent place of residence. Of these homeless clients, some live on the streets, under bridges, in cars or in abandoned buildings. Others live temporarily with a relative, friend, or at a temporary shelter until their allotted time is up. Men and women in these circumstances often have no place to shower or to attend to their daily hygiene. Downtown Daily Bread provides such a place to clients who may or may not have shelter but for whatever reason are unable to attend to their personal hygiene needs. Some individuals may not be able to use the showers where they are staying, others who have a room may not have hot water; still others who have bathroom access may not have running water due to landlord negligence. All of these individuals and their unique situations are helped by the “Lunch plus” program, and the shower and bathroom facilities, specifically.

In January 2005, CACH (The Capital Area Coalition on Homeless) conducted a Point In Time survey of all non-profit agencies in the Capital Area. The survey indicated that there were 446 individuals or households requesting homeless services. Of those individuals, 100% were requesting emergency shelter, food/hot meals; mental health services, medication, clothing, drug and alcohol services. The highest recorded request was for Public or Section 8 Housing.

Downtown Daily Bread helps the homeless access many of these services including food, clothing, health care, and mental health counseling. In addition, it provides a phone, lockers, and mail service with the DDB “Lunch Plus” program. For those persons with no permanent housing or temporary shelter, the shower component of the DDB program serves a vital need. Clients increase their self-esteem by allowing them not to appear homeless when walking the streets applying for jobs or looking for housing. Should they reveal to a perspective employer or landlord their homeless situation, they present an image of a person who cares about themselves enough to maintain a clean, neat appearance even in the worst circumstances. No other agency in Harrisburg provides such a service. It is crucial to the homeless people who reside in the city.

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	About Downtown Daily Bread (DDB) is an Emergency Kitchen which provides a nourishing, hot meal for the poor and homeless of downtown Harrisburg. This is done at no cost to the recipient. The simple but nutritious food is served from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the Hospitality House of the Boyd Memorial Building of the Pine Street Presbyterian Church in downtown Harrisburg. Lunch is served daily, including weekends and holidays. Filling a need in our Community In 2005, Downtown Daily Bread served 34,700 clients. This number reflects a 20% increase over a two year period. Of the clients served, internal surveys have indicated that one-quarter of these clients were homeless. The DDB definition of “homeless” describes an individual who has no permanent address and no permanent place of residence. Of these homeless clients, some live on the streets, under bridges, in cars or in abandoned buildings. Others live temporarily with a relative, friend, or at a temporary shelter until their allotted time is up. Men and women in these circumstances often have no place to shower or to attend to their daily hygiene. Downtown Daily Bread provides such a place to clients who may or may not have shelter but for whatever reason are unable to attend to their personal hygiene needs. Some individuals may not be able to use the showers where they are staying, others who have a room may not have hot water; still others who have bathroom access may not have running water due to landlord negligence. All of these individuals and their unique situations are helped by the “Lunch plus” program, and the shower and bathroom facilities, specifically. In January 2005, CACH (The Capital Area Coalition on Homeless) conducted a Point In Time survey of all non-profit agencies in the Capital Area. The survey indicated that there were 446 individuals or households requesting homeless services. Of those individuals, 100% were requesting emergency shelter, food/hot meals; mental health services, medication, clothing, drug and alcohol services. The highest recorded request was for Public or Section 8 Housing. Downtown Daily Bread helps the homeless access many of these services including food, clothing, health care, and mental health counseling. In addition, it provides a phone, lockers, and mail service with the DDB “Lunch Plus” program. For those persons with no permanent housing or temporary shelter, the shower component of the DDB program serves a vital need. Clients increase their self-esteem by allowing them not to appear homeless when walking the streets applying for jobs or looking for housing. Should they reveal to a perspective employer or landlord their homeless situation, they present an image of a person who cares about themselves enough to maintain a clean, neat appearance even in the worst circumstances. No other agency in Harrisburg provides such a service. It is crucial to the homeless people who reside in the city.	Home About Our Programs Our Programs Cont'd. Donate News Downtown Daily Bites Participating Organizations Board And Staff Contact
	A mission project of the Pine Street Presbyterian Church.