Sister Gerald, Foundress, and Sister Aurelian, first Food Cupboard Director.
A fond memory.

Our History 

The Bernardine Center was founded in February 1986 by the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters to help address the many challenges of low-income Chester residents.

Opened as an Emergency Food Cupboard, the Center designed the model Super Cupboard program in 1987.  This program seeks to break the cycle of poverty and dependence for low-income mothers by providing weekly sessions that include nutrition education and life skills workshops.  The Super Cupboard model has been copied extensively throughout Pennsylvania.

Throughout the years, the Center has provided targeted programming to address short-term needs, and help provide for the long-term needs of the families and individuals seeking our help.

The Center has been a member of The Greater Philadelphia Food Bank since its inception, and is a founding member of the Interfaith Coalition of Food Centers of Delaware County.

Our Staff

Sister Sandra Lyons
Director

Sister Josandra Ciucci
Environmental Outreach Coordinator

Sister Rose MacDermott, OSF
Educator

Sister Carolyn Muus, OSF
Hospitality Coordinator

Ms. Mary Lou Laboy
Food Cupboard Director

Sister Patricia Lynn Farrell
Immigration Outreach Coordinator (ESL, Civics)

Sister Maria Denise Prorock, OSF
Program Assistant

JK Guy
Assistant