MOUNT CARMEL - A local food pantry is asking residents of the Mount Carmel Area School District to donate non-perishable foods to stock its shelves to help those less fortunate.
Parcels of shelf-stable foods left in front of homes within the district by 9 a.m. Saturday will be collected by volunteers of The Shepherd's Pantry. Items may also be dropped off at The Shepherd's Pantry, in the St. Stephen Center for Ministry, 45 W. Fourth St., after 9 a.m.
The Shepherd's Pantry provides food assistance to eligible residents of the Mount Carmel Area School District. To qualify, a potential client's household income must be less than 150 percent of the poverty level established by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture/Emergency Food Assistance Program.
First-time clients must provide identification, such as a driver's license; proof of residency, such as a utility bill, and basic financial information. Each returning client may visit the pantry once a month and receive a food allocation based on the size of the household. The allocation formula is very similar to that suggested by the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank with which The Shepherd's Pantry is affiliated.
The pantry is open from 7 to 8 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month and from 11 a.m. to noon on the third Thursday. The doors open 15 minutes ahead of time.
Much of the food distributed at the pantry is generously donated by area individuals, churches and businesses. In 2010, the pantry served 210 families, including 2,538 individuals.