Pittston launches “Nourish in the Neighborhood” to deliver free meals as costs rise

PITTSTON, LUZERNE CO. (WOLF) — A new program in Pittston is putting free, nutritious meals directly into neighborhoods, with a focus on helping families when school meals aren’t available.

The city says the need is especially important as the cost of groceries continues to rise. Today, the first “Nourish in the Neighborhood” pop-up served free meals to Pittston residents.

For families already struggling to make ends meet, putting a healthy meal on the table can be a challenge.

And in Pittston, the city says the need is significant.

According to Census Bureau data, about 28 percent of children under 18 in the city live below the federal poverty line, roughly one in four kids.

“A couple years ago we did a needs assessment survey throughout the neighborhoods and a lot of feedback we received was just ‘our groceries are so high, our bills are so high, what can we do?’ We really wanted to be strategic about the programs that we roll out, and we found that this would fulfill a real need in our community,” said Shannon Bonacci, director of community development for the City of Pittston.

That feedback helped lead to a new program called Nourish in the Neighborhood.

The first pop-up Friday provided 100 free grab-and-go meals, paid for through Community Development Block Grant funding.

The meals include shredded chicken or a plantain entrée, yellow rice, beans and fresh fruit, with an emphasis on foods that can be expensive for families to buy.

“We overlook the cost of produce. We’ll go to the grocery store, and you can get a bag of Doritos and chips, but if you’re trying to feed your kids at home so they can focus during school, it’s sometimes hard to get access to fresh fruit, beans, protein. So, the meal today is focused on that,” said Bonacci.

The city partnered with The Coqui Kitchen, a Puerto Rican-American restaurant that opened in Pittston last November.

Chef and owner James Bodnar says he’s helping a community that made his restaurant feel at home.

“The times are tough for everybody right now. We’re a growing business. We’re getting our footing ourselves, but it’s nice to be able to help out. It’s not about how much money you have. If you want a hot meal, we’re happy to provide it,” said Bodnar.

Pittston officials say they hope Nourish in the Neighborhood can continue filling a need, with another pop-up planned for the fall, and future events timed around when school is out.