Host annual food giveaway

Many families in the area were able to enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner this week that they otherwise may not have been able to manage.

This week, Harvest for the Hungry food pantry, as it has in years past, organized their annual food giveaway for the holiday.

On Tuesday, packages of food were handed out to those who waited in line for the pick-up that morning. The food went to low-income households who registered in advance and met qualifications.

Diane Porter, the director of the pantry, said recipients picked up all the basics of a Thanksgiving dinner.
“We have turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls and cake,” she said. “We had 500 sign-up for it, and we have a little more than that.”

Porter said turkeys came from Facing Hunger Food Bank, who contribute each year. And this year, the National Wild Turkey Federation contributed as well.

Porter said many helped with the effort, with Trinity Assembly of God in Coal grove loaning the pantry a box truck to pick up the turkeys.

“We also have six volunteers from Columbia Gas here today,” she said. “They let us use their fork lift, too.”
Harvest for the Hungry, in operation since 1992, provides food to low income families in Lawrence County  throughout the year.

The pantry is staffed by volunteers and accepts donations. A thrift shop, Nancy’s Nook, operates at 106 S. 3rd Street and all proceeds from sales go the pantry.