SMETHPORT — The Smethport Food Pantry announces it will maintain continued operations during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Sharon Kohler stated that the food bank is open and that they are taking additional precautions at this time to deliver food to members of the community.
The food pantry is located on Fulton Street in Smethport, in the lower level of Hamlin Bank. The food pantry is open on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 10 to 11 a.m. This location serves residents of the Smethport School District, as well, as outlying nearby areas where there are no food distributions.
Eligibility requirements have been lifted by the state of Pennsylvania during the crisis. The food pantry is waiving their guidelines that participants only receive every other month, as well. More frequent food distribution is being permitted at this time.
Those in need of food can knock on the door, during the hours of operation, for intake to be done by a volunteer. Volunteers have been permitted by the state to sign and submit forms for patrons. The volunteers request a strict no contact policy, that patrons practice social distancing, and that only one family member come to the door.
Food will be packaged by the volunteers inside the building and brought out to the vehicle. Those receiving food are asked not to enter the building and to have a car door or trunk open so the box can be placed inside and not handed to another person.
McKean County is the lead agency for five food distribution locations in the county. Information is being released on the status of each pantry at the request of the volunteers, on a case by case basis.
At this time, individuals are asked not to make direct food donation to the individual pantries, in order to reduce contact during the current crisis. Anyone wishing to make a financial contribution to a food pantry may call the food pantry directly or call McKean County courthouse.
Additional information regarding the status of food pantries in the county will be forthcoming as distribution is monitored and food availability is assessed. Anyone with food insecurity of an immediate need can find resources for local distributions at mckeancountypa.org under the COVID tab.
