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.

Themajority of the foodwas provided by Philabundance of Philadelphia.

Those who got there early enough also got free flu shots.

Additionally, thosewho 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 tomake 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, StaceyWoodland, executive director of YWCA Tri-County 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 ofMontgomery 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.

“Wewanted tomake 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.”

PHOTO BY MELINDA HOAGEY Volunteers unloaded the food, unpacked it, and then gave it away to those who showed up Saturday at Smith Family Plaza.

PHOTO BY MELINDA HOAGEY Members of Empire and Goodwill fire companies were on hand with free fire extinguishers and smoke detectors.

PHOTO BY MELINDA HOAGEY Boxes of sweet potatoes were among the food provided free Saturday by Philabundance of Philadelphia.

EVAN BRANDT— MEDIANEWS GROUP Black voters were encouraged to register during Saturday’s event.

MELINDA HOAGEY — FORMEDIANEWS GROUP U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-4th Dist., left, and Pottstown School Board champion John Armato, practiced appropriate pandemic protocols Saturday.

EVAN BRANDT — MEDIANEWS GROUP The YWCA Tri-County Area was one of several local groups that helped organize Saturday’s outreach.