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Mobile food pantry back in Gays Mills
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The Second Harvest Food Bank’s Mobile Food Pantry will come to Gays Mills one week earlier than usual in December to avoid conflict with Christmas Day. The mobile food pantry will distribute food from the Gays Mills Community Building, located at 212 Main Street, on Wednesday, Dec. 18 from 2 p.m. until the food runs out. 

Extra volunteers likely will be needed because of the proximity to the holiday.  Call Lorraine Fortney (608-735-4690) or Cindy Kohles (608-872-2184) if you want to volunteer or ask questions about the pantry.  Volunteers cannot also receive food from the Pantry.

The Second Harvest Mobile Food Pantry provides food to families facing financial stress. Frozen meats, fresh and canned vegetables, breads, staples such a rice or noodles, and fruits are regularly available.  Each household receives between 50 to 70 pounds of food.

Patrons must self-identify as needing assistance in food acquisition by initialing a registration sheet indicating such.  At the sign-in desk, they also will be asked to provide the total number of people in their household, the number of children and seniors (over 60), and the name of the post office responsible for their mail delivery.  To assist with outreach efforts, volunteers will also ask how the patrons hear about this month’s mobile pantry. The pantry does not apply formal income guidelines to determine eligibility and no identification is requested from patrons.

People not able to come to the pantry in person may designate someone to pick up a share of food for them.  Designees should be prepared to provide the patron’s household information at the registration desk.

People should bring sturdy bags, boxes, or baskets to hold the food they receive. Volunteers will assist by carrying food to vehicles as needed. 

Last month, the Second Harvest Mobile Food Pantry in Gays Mills provided food to 349 people in 149 households.  Eighty-two children and ninety-three seniors were among those served.  A number of households could not be served because the food supply ran out.