The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Mobile pantry in high gear
Services have more than doubled in past week, according to Second Harvest
Cars lined 28th street near Pearl Avenue in Lorain to await their turn March 19 to be directed into the parking lot at El Centro de Servicios Sociales for Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio’s mobile pantry.
Volunteers estimated that 500 cars would go through El Centro, 2800 Pearl Ave., to receive vegetables, fruit, meats, milk, shelf-stable products, soaps and sanitary wipes.
Jenny Lynch, volunteer relations manager for Second Harvest, said the number of those who utilize the mobile food pantry’s services has doubled over the past week.
“We went from around 200 families to 500,” Lynch said.
Due to the novel coronavirus, Second Harvest and its volunteers have taken extra precautions to minimize contact with people.
Volunteers are asked to wear gloves and families are encouraged to use cars in a drive-thru line to receive food bagged and boxed by the volunteers.
“We want to make sure we’re still able to give those in need food and keep our volunteers safe,” Lynch said.
Lorain police Officer Robert Hargreaves said he, his coworkers and volunteers were trying to service the community as smoothly as they could.
“We’re trying to get as many people as possible through while limiting contact with the public,” Hargreaves said.
Officers aided in the set up and organization of the process, he said.
“We’re having them come in off of 28th street and waiting in a short line, receive
their food and exit onto Pearl,” Hargreaves said. “We’re trying to make this as stress less as possible for everyone involved.”
Getting to help those in need is something police officers strive to achieve, he said.
“That’s why I became a police officer, to give back, to make a change,” Hargreaves said. “A lot of us do other things besides our jobs. We do care.”
Due to COVID-19, Second Harvest is in need of additional volunteers, Lynch said.
During the mobile food pantry at El Centro, she said her volunteers have gone from 500 to around 100.
“We had to ask those who were at a higher risk for the virus to temporarily stop
volunteering,” Lynch said.
Groups also have canceled their volunteering programs which have left the food bank in need of volunteers.
“If people want to volunteer, they can go to our website,” Lynch said. “We’re starting to get more volunteers, but we could use more at this time.”
Local organizations have gathered together to provide for the community during this time.
If families are in additional need of care packages, they can visit the Lorain County Community Action Agency’s care cupboard from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 204 W. 10th St.
Care packages are expected to include toilet paper.