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Family First Mobile Food Pantry Has New Home

Last updated on Monday, July 30, 2012

(BEDFORD) - Families First, a mobile food pantry of the Hoosier Hills Food Bank that serves Lawrence County twice a month, has a new Bedford distribution site.

Mobile pantry gets new site
Community Baptist partners with food bank; next visit is Aug. 28
By Carol Johnson carol@tmnews.com
July 29, 2012, last update: 7/28 @ 10:40 pm

The mobile pantry, which distributes food to about 150 families in Bedford, will move to Community Baptist Fellowship Church, 508 Fellowship Drive, starting with the Aug. 28 food distribution. The church is just off Ind. 58, west of Bedford North Lawrence High School.

The food distribution program was operating from the Wilson Park Shelter House for the past several years, but it outgrew that location because of increasing numbers of people in need.

"The Bedford Parks Department has been a gracious host and we have appreciated the opportunity to use the Wilson Park Shelter, but the program has grown so large that it just isn't feasible to continue there," said Hoosier Hills Food Bank director of programs Casey Steury in a press release.

The food bank is in Bedford the fourth Tuesday of each month and distributes food from 5-7 p.m.

"We're very grateful to pastor Kennedy and Community Baptist Fellowship for partnering with us going forward," said Steury. "The church provides an excellent location for our food distribution program and we can continue seamlessly."

Families can pick up free groceries from the mobile pantry. Non-perishable goods, as well as dairy, eggs and bread are available, depending on the food bank's inventory. A recent grant from the Lawrence County Community Foundation will provide significantly more fresh produce as well.

Eligibility guidelines are posted (clients should have incomes at or below 165 percent of the federal poverty level, or $3,073 per month for a family of four), but no proof of need or income is requested. Patrons are encouraged to bring a few shopping bags or boxes to carry their food. Volunteers should arrive at 4:30 p.m. to help.

The food bank also hosts a Mitchell mobile pantry on the fourth Thursday of each month from 5- 7 p.m. at the American Legion, 404 Sheeks Drive, and it provides food to nine other nonprofit agencies in Lawrence County. Last year, the food bank provided 468,851 pounds of food to Lawrence County residents.

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