<\/p>\n
PITTSTON \u2014 Pittston City\u2019s Office of Community Development has partnered with CEO Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank and the Downtown Pittston Partnership to launch the Pittston City Food Distribution Pantry.<\/p>\n
The inaugural food distribution was held on Thursday, Dec. 11 at the Cosgrove Room at the Pittston Memorial Library with city officials, members of the Pittston Area football team, and representatives from CEO Weinberg volunteering to aid those who signed up for the program.<\/p>\n
According to Mary Kroptavich, City of Pittston Downtown Pittston Partnership executive director, plans were in the works two-years ago to bring such a food distribution program to the city but could not get it off the ground.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) funding cuts, we knew there was an emergency need here in the city,\u201d Kroptavich said. \u201cWe reached out to CEO a few months ago and were informed at the time, they were not taking on new partners, but thankfully since we started the process two-years ago, we were grandfathered in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mary Kay D\u2019Elia of CEO Weinberg Food Bank, along with Kathy Lockman was on hand to provide nutritional information for food recipients as well as passing out menus to prepare meals from the food they collected.<\/p>\n
D\u2019Elia said everyone involved from the city had to have formal training on procedure and protocol before the program started.<\/p>\n
The Pittston City Food Distribution Pantry has been designated for city residents only after filling out a financial needs form.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had 105 people initially signed up for the program and by that time on Monday until now, the number grew to 150,\u201d D\u2019Elia said.<\/p>\n
Residents must register each month to allow CEO to provide the correct amount of food needed for the month.<\/p>\n
The pantry will distribute food monthly designed to help meet the growing nutritional needs for residents.<\/p>\n
Each distribution, participants will have access to free pantry staples, fresh produce, meats, and additional items aimed at supporting local households.<\/p>\n
This month\u2019s food lineup included ham, yams, potatoes, grapes, cereal, peanut butter, pasta, green beans, milk and paper products. Kroptavich said the food lineup would change from month-to-month but will contain the four food groups.<\/p>\n
Residents of the city planning to take part in collecting food for the month are encouraged to pre-register online at: https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/mwcdzzye.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are incredibly proud to bring this program to the City of Pittston,\u201d Shannon Bonacci, Office of Community Development director, said. \u201cFood insecurity continues to impact families across our region, and it is our mission to help ease that burden by providing consistent, reliable access to nutritious food.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThese events are critical, they are a great commentary on community and what we value,\u201d City of Pittston Mayor Michael Lombardo said. \u201cI\u2019d like to commend my staff for showing up today as well as members of the Pittston Area football team that are here. We like to partner so having a strong partner like CEO is fantastic.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kroptavich added there is a need for volunteers each month to help the program succeed. If you care to help, reach out to her at mkroptavich@cityofpittston.org.<\/p>\n
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