Need donations to continue work

A local food pantry has been helping the needy for years and needs help with their cause.

Harvest for the Hungry, located on North Fifth Street is an effort on part of several downtown churches, spearheaded by the First United Methodist Church, to provide food to the needy.

The food pantry opened in its present location four years ago and is regularly staffed by a team of 20-25 volunteers, board member and volunteer Lois Terkhorn said.

Those needing assistance can come to the food pantry once every 60 days, where they can receive a package containing canned vegetables, soup, cereal, milk, fruit, peanut butter and jelly, mac and cheese, bread, butter, meat and produce.

Terkhorn said the food pantry follows USDA guidelines in determining eligibility and those seeking food can stop by to apply. Applicants should bring identification and proof of income.

Food is distributed on Mondays and Wednesday, from 9 a.m. to noon.

Terkhorn said the food pantry does its own application, and that those seeking assistance don’t have to go to a government agency.

The food pantry purchases food through member donations and gets donations from local businesses like Pick ‘n Save and Little Caesar’s. She said Little Caesar’s donates each week, providing pizzas.

The food pantry fed 18,288 people in 2015, director Diane Porter said, including 5,797 families, 2,312 seniors (640 of whom had minors in their household), 6,203 children and 9,773 adults.

Donations are always welcome, director Diane Porter said. Nonperishable food items can be dropped off at their location. Plastic shopping bags are an item they are especially in need of.

Checks can be mailed to 120 N. Fifth St., Ironton, OH 45638. The food pantry is 501(c) (3) nonprofit and donations are tax deductible.