LENDING A HAND
From food to flu shots to new voters, outreach had a lot to offer
POTTSTOWN » More than 5,000 pounds of free, fresh food, two dozen new voters and all other kinds of help and assistance were on hand Saturday during a community event held in Smith Family Plaza.
The majority of the food was provided by Philabundance of Philadelphia.
Those who got there early enough also got free flu shots.
Additionally, those who came to get help, a form, or to lend a hand were treated to free hot dogs and water ice as well.
“Our goal was to make sure we gave away all the food,” said Johnny Corson, president of the Pottstown chapter of the NAACP, which was just one of the groups helping organize the event.
Additionally, Stacey Woodland, executive director of YWCA TriCounty Area, said her organization provided 300 snack bags for residents to bring home.
Also on hand was:
• The Pottstown Fire Department, with safety equipment and educational materials for fire prevention month;
• Representatives from the office of Montgomery County Treasurer Jason Salus with information about dog licenses;
• Family Services of Pottstown, with information about family and mental health services;
• Workers from the U.S. Census, trying to up Pottstown’s sub-standard response to the count
• Volunteers registering voters;
• Montgomery county Intermediate Unit with special education information;
• CareerLink and MontcoWorks NOW with information about job training and job skills;
• Legal Aid of Southeast Pennsylvania;
• Bethel Community Church of Pottstown;
• Aclamo Family Centers;
• Hobart’s Run;
• Teamsters Local 107
• and the Montgomery County Public Defender’s Office.
“We wanted to make sure we help people, because they’re hurting,” said Corson. “People have lost jobs, they’ve been furloughed, they may not be getting their unemployment, we’ve got to help each other.”