Our Impact on Our City

For every 100 residents in Erie, 26 are living in need. We work to restore hope and transform lives for those in our city.

A light in the darkness

You see the struggle everywhere.

Poverty, hunger, unemployment, homelessness, abuse, social disadvantage, dysfunctional family life, mental illness, intellectual disability, drug and alcohol addiction, prison, illiteracy, and prejudice.

We are light in the darkness, a safe haven from the storms of life.

Poverty Level

26.2% of Erie residents live at or below the poverty level.

Second Most Impoverished City in PA

The city of Erie is home to the poorest zip code in Pennsylvania - 16501. The Erie City Mission--located in the 16501 zip code--exists to eliminate poverty in our city through its programs and services.

Meals Prepared and Served

119,135 — the approximate number of meals prepared and served through the Erie City Mission's Public Meal Program. For many, the free public meal program serves as their main source of nutrition.

Average Cost Spent on a Meal

The average amount spent on a meal by the food secure is $3.13. It costs the Erie City Mission $2.49 to provide a hot nutritious meal to the food insecure of our city.

Company Parterships

Many companies throughout the Erie region partner with the Mission kitchen to help provide the public lunch daily, including: Bob Evans; Cheddar's; Chick-fil-A; Co-Op; Coke; Country Fair; Curtze; Eat'n Park Hospitality Group; Giant Eagle; Little Caesars; Maplevale; Meadow Brook; Mighty Fine Donuts; Outback; Red Lobster; Sheetz; Tim Hortons; Walker's Christmas Tree Farm; and Wegmans.

Emergency Men’s Shelter

11,535 — the approximate number of bed nights for homeless men through our Samaritan Care Emergency Shelter.

Combating the Root Causes

While the Erie City Mission meets the immediate needs of each individual, it is also committed to combating the root causes of chronic homelessness through education, 12-step programs, and spiritual mentorship.

Erie City Mission Trucks Run 40 Pick-ups Per Week

Traveling as far as Girard, Waterford, Cambridge Springs, and North East for donations. Items donated through our Donation Center are distributed between our two Thrifty Shopper stores and sold at a reasonable cost or given away to those in need.

Service Hours Clocked by Volunteers

9,628 hours — the approximate number of service hours clocked by Erie City Mission volunteers. The value of these hours equates to over $69,803 in savings.