Prior to the food distribution set for March 19, Dixie Adams, one of the food bank team leaders of the Northeastern Lancaster County Food Bank, which is located at St. Paul's United Methodist Church (UMC), 105 W. Main St., Terre Hill, called area families that receive food from the bank. "We let them know that things (would be) different," said Adams, who noted she is never quite sure how many families will need food each month.
When families arrived at the food bank on March 19, Adams had also posted a sign explaining that no one could enter the food bank except volunteers. "(The sign) said to let (us know when you) were here, and we will bring the groceries to you," explained Adams.
Using two carts, volunteers loaded up prepackaged groceries. A volunteer pushed each cart out to the recipient. "When the cart came back, it was wiped down," said Adams, who noted that all volunteers washed their hands thoroughly and then wore gloves throughout the process.
Adams made sure that produce and baked goods were available outside the food bank for clients. "I pulled my car around the back and opened my trunk," said Adams. "I put all the produce in my trunk in containers with bags, and we have a shelving unit that is lightweight that I put the pastries on, so the families could come and help themselves to what they needed when they came to the food bank."
Adams said that she and a few other volunteers had packed the groceries the night before based on the numbers from the February food distribution, when they had fed nearly 30 families. "We prepackaged small-, medium-, and large-size grocery packages, which is based on the size of the family," said Adams, who noted a small package feeds one or two people, a medium package is for three to five, and a large is for families of six or more. Adams and the other volunteers made up 27 packages ahead of time and distributed food to 28 individuals and families at the March 19 event.
The Blue Ball Area Lioness Club helped support the March 19 distribution by providing necessary food items. "One of the (Lionesses) noticed we were low on produce, and (the club) bought produce for us, and they also bought frozen meat because we were getting low," said Adams, who added that the Lionesses brought the food to the parking lot, where they put it in the back of Adams' open station wagon. "They replenished our stock, but they didn't come into the food bank," said Adams.
Because the churches, which normally supply the food bank, have not been meeting, Adams noted that there is a need for specific items. Individuals may drop off the following nonperishable items: assorted soups, including ramen noodles, egg noodles, and other pastas; side-dish packets with pasta or rice; Hamburger Helper; pancake mix (complete) and syrup; canned beans, including baked beans; canned veggies, such as string beans, peas, corn, carrots, and mixed vegetables; canned fruit, such as mandarin oranges, pears, peaches, and mixed fruit; single-serve packs of applesauce; juice packs; canned chicken; canned tuna packed in water; jelly; peanut butter; ketchup; and mustard.
Household supplies such as laundry detergent, dish detergent, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, and paper towels will also be accepted. "We give laundry detergent, paper towels, and toilet paper (to each family)," said Adams.
The Northeastern Lancaster County Food Bank, which is typically open the third Thursday of each month, will be open on Thursday, April 16, from 1 to 6 p.m. For more information, including how to make a monetary donation, readers may call 717-445-5698.
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