Produce to People distributes food to area needy
?DUNBAR TWP. — Many families in Fayette County are thankful for Produce to People, a program that directly distributes fresh produce to those in need.
“It helps us out a lot,” said Clint Cole who was waiting in line with his wife, Bobbi Cole, on Thursday. “We are very thankful for this program and to receive fresh produce, which can be expensive,” said Clint Cole.
The Coles patiently waited in line for two hours for their number to be called.
“We are just thankful to be here. It’s worth the wait,” said Bobbi Cole. “You do what you have to do for your family,” she said.
The first distribution site started in Allegheny County in 2005 because there were not enough coolers in food pantries for fresh produce, said Josh Murphy, special distributions coordinator with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, which sponsors the Produce to People program.
“Having fresh produce and whole foods is important,” said Murphy. “We didn’t have enough room in the pantries, so we decided to design a way to directly deliver fresh produce to families.”
There are 13 distribution sites in southwestern Pennsylvania. Fayette County is the 13th site, distributing fresh produce each month at the Fayette County Fairgrounds, he added.
The Fayette County project coordinator is the Rev. Adam Lawson of New Beginnings Covenant Church in Uniontown. Last month, he said that Produce to People served 28,000 pounds of food to 1,108 people. Thursday marked the second time food was distributed through the Produce to People program, with about 1,158 people being served, Lawson said.
“The need is bigger than you can imagine,” said Lawson.
The program does not require any qualifications.
“If someone believes they are in need, they are welcome to come,” he said.
According to Murphy, families “self-certify” themselves. Anyone who is considered to be below 150 percent of the poverty line, receiving Social Security, food stamps, disability or Medicare is welcome to come to the distribution sites.
“No verification is required because we want to make Produce to People as stress-free as we can for people in need,” said Murphy.
Lawson said that the greatest part about the program is that Produce to People helps those who he said are “falling into the cracks.” Many working people may still find themselves having trouble making ends meet, he said.
Lawson also pointed out that the elderly and disabled who are not able to make it out to the distribution sites can send someone on their behalf.
“We don’t want to leave anyone out who may be in need. All we ask is for a note,” he said.
The fresh produce comes from various organizations, including the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, which is spending more and more money on food each year, said Murphy.
Other supporting organizations include Feeding America, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Pennsylvania Institute of Health and Technology, Fayette County Community Action Food Bank and the United Way.
On Thursday, families received 10 pound bags of potatoes and sweet potatoes, grape juice, watermelons and canned goods, said Lawson.
“We’ve been blessed with the resources to do this, and we will continue to help as long as we are able, he said.
Lawson said that he was happy to see the community coming together to help one another. There were more than 40 volunteers from many organizations, he said.
“I’m impressed that the people in Fayette County who are in need are the ones I see taking the time to volunteer,” said Murphy.
Volunteers hand out food, literature, handle the registration process and help families take their groceries to their vehicles, he said.
Lawson asks that any interested volunteers should email him at pastoradam@verizon.net or call 724-437-0706.