Second Harvest Partners with Sheriff, YMHA for Mobile Pantry

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley is partnering with the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Department and the Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority to pilot a mobile pantry program.

Through the program, the sheriff’s department will coordinate with the food bank to distribute food directly to residents. The first distribution will be held 11 a.m. to 1 .m. Nov. 1 at Gutknecht Towers, 110 E. Wood St. in Youngstown.

“Low income, elderly and disabled face challenges daily. Residents of public housing many times find joblessness, lack of education, health or nutrition issues, higher crime and isolation,” said Mike Iberis, executive director of Second Harvest, in a release. “We know that people who live with hunger daily usually face many more life challenges. Bringing relief to these neighborhoods may deliver not just food, but also help and hope.”

Added Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene: “The Mobile Pantry pilot will enable our public safety professionals to provide immediate relief to some of our residents and address a lack of resources that often leads to a perpetuation of the cycle of crime. … We hope to continue expanding this partnership in meaningful ways.”

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