Event at Wallenpaupack South gives away thousands of pounds of food to those in need

Peter Becker, Tri-County Independent
·5 min read
Volunteers help carry cases of some of the 23,000 pounds of free food distributed April 22, 2023 on the grounds of the Wallenpaupack South Elementary School in Newfoundland. Delivered by the Mount Charitable Foundation and coordinated by the SHINE afterschool program, remaining food from the day's drive-up distribution was hand delivered to participating, needy families of South School children, and to the Wayne County Food Pantry's facility in Newfoundland.

Thousands of pounds of food were given away at a special community outreach event on the Wallenpaupack South Elementary School grounds on April 22. Even more food was delivered to needy families of South Elementary children, and the nearby county food pantry.

In all, 23,000 pounds (about the weight of some school buses) were delivered by Mount Charitable Foundation.

The organization was founded by the Mount Group, which owns several companies including Pocono Sand & Stone in South Sterling, a few miles from Newfoundland. Mount Materials President John Thomas said that their CEO, Dave Smith, started the foundation in 2007 to help in many causes benefitting the public.

The food distribution lasted four hours, starting at 9 a.m. By noon, Thomas estimated they had around 150 vehicles pull up, with community members responding to the offer of food.

"I'm surprised," Thomas said, "I was shocked at the amount of need."

He said the cases of food are handed to the people with no questions asked, adding they wouldn't be driving up unless they needed it. The word got out by way of banners, posters and social media.

"It's good to give back," Thomas said. "We truly believe one person can make a difference, and we have 60 volunteers today, making a difference." They had Boy Scouts there helping, as well as the Newfoundland Rotary Club and a group representing Pocono Sand & Stone, and others.

He said a Pennsylvania State Trooper stopped by in his vehicle to pick up some food for a homebound family in the area that the trooper knew about.

Kids in mind

The food picked had kids in mind, Thomas said, with items like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, applesauce, rice, macaroni and cheese, and spaghetti.

Murphy's Market in New Jersey supplies the food.

"This effort is a very important part of the community reaching out to try to curb food insecurities in our area," Mark Kirsten, South Elementary School Principal, said. "Anytime we as a community can help our local friends in need it is a bonus to help families that are making tough decisions on whether to buy food or pay a heating bill or other bills they have."

Kirsten said that 66% of their students are eligible for, and receive, free or reduced lunch. There were 31 families that signed up for extra help and were being hand delivered food from the Mount Materials distribution, on April 25. Each of the Wallenpaupack schools also has their own food pantry with donated food.

Mount Charitable Foundation food distribution, Newfoundland, PA, April 22, 2023. Assisting, from left are Darren Hummel; Mike Alderfer; Brittney Duggan; Kelli Wilson; Kelsey Thomas; Amy Dorsey; Caitlyn Duggan; John Thomas, President of Mount Materials; and Sister Draru Mary Cecila. The foundation was set up by the Mount Group, of which Pocono Sand & Stone in South Sterling belongs.

The food distribution was coordinated through the SHINE (Schools and Homes in Education) afterschool program, which is hosted by Wayne Pike Workforce Alliance and serves Wallenpaupack, Western Wayne and Wayne Highlands school districts. SHINE started at South Elementary School several years ago.

Pantea Shademani, representing SHINE and helping to load vehicles with food, said that this free program aims to help children considered at risk of poverty, delinquency, poor academics and other issues. The children receive hands-on academic enrichment in STEAM subjects (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics), and are fed dinner before being transported home.

Kirsten said that SHINE was one of the most beneficial programs to help at-risk children he has witnessed in his career. There are 35 South School kids participating in SHINE.

Wayne County Food Pantry Program, which operates five sites around the county, benefitted from surplus food from the Mount Materials distribution, Clarissa Wimmers, Director, said. The food is being split between the Wayne County and Pike County food pantries in Newfoundland, both of which operate from the Dreher Township Municipal Building, 899 Main Street. The combined sites serve about 120 families.

To register at the food pantry site, applicants must bring proof of physical address, such as a current utility bill.

The county program in all serves about 450 families; Honesdale has the busiest site, with around 200 families served. Other sites are in Damascus, Lakewood and Lakeville.

Wimmers said they have seen an increase in the number of people registering for the county food pantries because of a change in federal benefits.

"I have talked with first time participants who have never had to look for this type of help. Younger and older – sometimes individuals near tears," Wimmers said. "Our goal is to help our neighbors feel comfortable in reaching out for assistance."

Produce, milk and eggs are purchased from local farms for the county pantries through the Farms To Families Fund.

Financial donations from the community and a partnership with the Wayne County Community Foundation make this program happen, Wimmers said.

Food or financial donations may be made to the Wayne County Food Pantry Program. 323 Tenth Street, Honesdale, PA 18431. Volunteers are also needed. Call Clarissa Wimmers at 570-253-4262.

For information about the Wayne County Food Pantry Program: waynecountypa.gov/169/Food-Pantry-Program.

To learn more about SHINE, visit: wpworkforce.org/shine.

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Where to get help in Wayne County

Read on for the Wayne County Food Pantry monthly schedule.

  • Damascus Pantry: Damascus Township Building, 60 Conklin Road, Damascus. Open 1 to 3 p.m, every third Thursday of the month.

  • Honesdale Pantry: Tri County Beverage, 214 Willow Ave., Honesdale. Open 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., every second Tuesday.

  • Lakeville Pantry: Paupack Township Building, 25 Daniels Rd., Lakeville. Open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., every fourth fourth Thursday.

  • Lakewood Pantry: Northern Wayne Health Center, 412 Como Rd., Lake Como. Open 12:30 to 2:30 pm., every third Wednesday.

  • Newfoundland Pantry: Dreher Township Building, 899 Main St., Newfoundland. Wayne County residents can attend 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every second Friday. Pike County residents are served at the Newfoundland Pantry noon to 2 p.m. every third Thursday.

To register at a food pantry site, applicants must bring proof of physical address, such as a current utility bill. Call Clarissa Wimmers, Director for more information, at 570-253-4262.

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Food giveaway in Wayne County helps meet need in community