Second Harvest food pantry open July 22 in Gays Mills

The Second Harvest Foodbank’s mobile food pantry will come to 212 Main Street in Gays Mills, on Wednesday, July 22. Registration begins at 1:30 p.m.

Food distribution will be from 2 to 3 p.m. People struggling to make ends meet can come to the pantry to receive fresh and non-perishable food. Frozen meats, fresh and canned vegetables, breads, staples such as rice or noodles, and fruits are regularly available. Each household receives between fifty and seventy pounds of food. The food is free and varies each month.

Anyone in need of food assistance is welcome to receive food. No identification or proof of residency is required. Patrons must provide the check-in volunteer with the number of people (including children and senior citizens) in the household and the name of their local post office. Food recipients will be asked if their household income falls above or below 185% of the federal poverty line so that Second Harvest can determine how many mobile pantry patrons would not be eligible to receive food at other local food pantries. First time patrons will be asked how they learned about the mobile food pantry.

People should bring sturdy bags, boxes, or baskets to hold the food they receive. Volunteers can assist with carrying food to patron’s vehicles.

Volunteers are needed to assist during set-up (beginning at 1 p.m.), food distribution, and clean-up. Second Harvest policy does not allow volunteers to receive a food allocation.

In June, the Second Harvest mobile food pantry in Gays Mills provided food to 182 households that included a total of 468 people. Those households included 131 children and 125 seniors. Recipients came from eighteen communities in five counties.

Call Lorraine Fortney (608) 735-4690 or Cindy Kohles (608) 872-2184 if you have questions.