In Times of Need: Rotary Club of the Abingtons food drives for the Open Door Food Pantry

Sep. 6—What: The Rotary Club of the Abingtons started its food drives during the coronavirus pandemic when the need at food banks surged, said Beth Caucci, food drive chairwoman of the rotary.

"We provided an easy drop off for donors to drive to the Clarks Summit Firehouse, where we would unload the vehicle without the donor having to get out or lift heavy items," Caucci said. "We would then load our vehicles and drop them off at the food bank. Eventually, our drive-through drop off gained enough popularity that we needed to move directly to the Open Door Food Pantry so we can now load supplies from vehicles into the food bank from Spring Street in Clarks Summit."

The Open Door Food Pantry is a food bank sponsored and maintained by the Gathering Place of Clarks Summit. The food bank is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is unmanned, but under camera surveillance through the police station in the same building.

How: The rotary will host food drives on Thursdays, Sept. 7, and Oct. 5, from 9:30 to 11:45 a.m. at the Open Door Food Pantry, which is inside of the Clarks Summit Borough Building's Spring Street entrance and next to the Gathering Place.

Donors can bring canned items such as chicken, pasta, vegetables, fruit and soup, as well as non-perishable food like boxed pasta and sauce, peanut butter, jelly, oatmeal, juice boxes, crackers, cereal and granola bars and toiletries.

Rotary members will help donors unload their vehicles.

There also are several food drop-off boxes placed throughout the Abingtons, including at PS Bank and FNBC Bank in Clarks Summit.

Monetary donations are appreciated and are easily incorporated into the Wednesday evening grocery order, Caucci said. They can be sent to Rotary Club of the Abingtons, P.O. Box 392, Clarks Summit, PA 18411.

"Monetary donations are used to purchase a grocery pick-up order that I schedule on Wednesday evenings ahead of the Thursday food drives," she said.

The rotary also is always open for new members, regardless of age and abilities. Any individuals interested in making a difference are encouraged to get involved, she said. Rotary Club of the Abingtons promotes local causes and businesses, contributes to organizations in the Abingtons and hosts fundraisers throughout the year, including its largest, an annual Independence Day celebration and fireworks display that draws food trucks, vendors and hundreds of spectators.

For more information on upcoming opportunities or to get involved, visit Rotary Club of the Abingtons on Facebook or email abingtonrotary2017@gmail.com.

Why: Food insecurity is everywhere and there is a great need for food drives, Caucci said.

"The Gathering Place is constantly refilling the shelves with food and is solely dependent on private donations," she added. "The demand remains elevated in the community."

In addition to collecting donations at weekly meetings, the Abington Rotary hopes to host food drives on either the first or second Thursday of the month depending on the calendar.

In her own words: "The need is everywhere. The Open Door Food Pantry is located in the center of Clarks Summit and is easily accessible by walking. The Gathering Place is constantly refilling the items available on the shelves. Support and donations would ease the burden on our regular orders. It would be a huge step towards addressing food insecurity in our local community." — Beth Caucci, food drive chairwoman, the Rotary Club of the Abingtons

Contact the writer: gmazur@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9127; @gmazurTT on X