St. Bernard Food Pantry Free Milk and Fruit Drive

HASTINGS, Pa. (WJAC) — Hundreds of people came out on Wednesday for the Staint Bernard Food Pantry's Free Milk and Fruit Drive.

From before 9 AM until about 12:30 PM on Wednesday. 405 cars lined up along Huber Road and adjacent ones to get their milk and other treats, like grapes and nuts.

This year, the drive has gone a little differently due to coronavirus. The food pantry asked people to remain in their cars while over 60 volunteers helped place milk and food in their backseat or trunk. Still.The virus has not stopped the drives success.

The director of Saint Bernard Food Pantry Nancy Mcemullen says: "Since COVID, we have gone totally to the drive-thru situation. It works pretty well. We keep cars moving, so it’s not that bad actually. If you want some free produce and milk, this is the way to go."

The drive was made possible by the government funded grant program the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program.

Since June, the Saint Bernard’s Food Pantry and other partners have distributed 2,000 gallons of milk with boxes of fruit. They give two gallons per family. The drive is hosted every two weeks. As for how much longer it will last, the pantry says that it depends on the dairy association and how long they can get it.

The pantry says that the reason they hold the drive is because milk and dairy food are essential nutrients and they want to provide these to local families..now more than ever.

"People really love it. It gets out into the community really quickly. I think they were concerned because we are a small, rural area. However, the amount of traffic you can get through is amazing. There are people who will come and pick it up. They just like it." says Mcemullen

The next drive is in two weeks. If you like more information please call 814-247-8569.

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