East Stroudsburg Distributes 600 Thanksgiving Meals
East Stroudsburg's Salvation Army loaded cars with turkeys and trimmings on Thursday, as part of their annual effort to feed the community for Thanksgiving. The distribution event, in its 70th year, looked a little different thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"This year is whole different ballgame with the COVID-19 pandemic," said Jill Brink, Food Panty/Volunteer Director. "Because of all the restrictions, this year saw very little interaction with clients. Everyone had to apply via mail, online or fax."
People were given appointment times to drive up and have their trunks loaded by the volunteers, all in a contactless manner. Typically, the organization sees many donations from schools, churches and local hospitals. This year they were reliant on government donations and funding.
The pandemic also impacted how the Salvation Army was able to staff the event, rather than depend on school and church volunteers. Restrictions forced cutbacks on volunteer staff, therefore slowing down the event. Only 10 people were allowed to volunteer at a time. Volunteers from the East Stroudsburg University Panhellenic Council were on hand to distribute meals. The council also donated $532 to the effort.
Approximately 35 volunteers were on hand to take part in Distribution Day on Thursday, November 19 to personally give out the food donations in a drive-through fashion at The Salvation Army’s office in East Stroudsburg. According to Brink, foods and goods vary year to year depending on the donations and budget.
Turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and fresh produce, like celery and sweet potatoes, were all included in the holiday distribution boxes. Other staples such as hot dogs, fish and milk also lined the boxes this year. 600 meals were distributed at Thursday's event, about 100 more than in 2019, and Brink says more meals are ready as needed.
"What makes this year different, is people are a lot more stressed," Brink said. "The virus has really taken a toll on people— not just financially, but physically, mentally and spiritually."
"The deadline for the Thanksgiving distribution was November 13," Brink said. "But as in the past, we will continue distributing right up until the Wednesday before Thanksgiving to anyone that comes to us in need. If there are any other hardships, we will continue distributing on a case by case basis."
The deadline to apply for the next holiday distribution, for Christmas food and toys, is Nov. 30.
The East Stroudsburg Salvation Army requires clients to fill out an application and to prove residency within the geographical area of Monroe County. The East Stroudsburg location serves the municipalities and boroughs of Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg, Delaware Water Gap, Smithfield and Stroud townships, as well as parts of Pocono Township. But according to Brink, the Salvation Army does not turn away the needy from other parts of Monroe County.
Besides the holiday food distributions, the East Stroudsburg Salvation Army also serves a regular monthly food distribution to over 350 families. Prior to the pandemic, it was a choice-food pantry. Now they pre-package boxes by family size and distribute via a drive-through by appointment.
"On any given month, anywhere between 150-290 families will come to us," Brink said. "But the holidays usually bring out all 350 clients plus so many more additional families." Some of the pantry's most hard-hit clients are the elderly, single persons and those whose unemployment benefits have run out, Brink said. "Well over half of my food pantry pickups are elderly people facing rising food prices while on a fixed income," Brink said. "Everything is going up, except their income.
"We also get a lot of single people with a disparity of over 90 single women versus over 20 single men."
After volunteering for 22 years at the East Stroudsburg Salvation Army, Brink feels thankful that her organization is one of the few that is still here during the pandemic.
"Our location feeds the needy, but it also runs a rental assistance program, helps with utility bills, food emergencies and we offer shelter."
Original Source: Pocono Record