By CHRISTINE HAINES
Look for the big, green dragon at Greenock United Methodist Church to help take a bite out of hunger in the area.
The church, located in Elizabeth Township, will host a “Drive-by to Donate” event from noon until 3 p.m. Wednesday, collecting cash and checks to support the area food pantries and Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
Debbie Popp Gilbert of the church’s Mission and Outreach Committee said in the past, area churches supported the pantries and food bank through food and monetary donations collected at the churches.
“The churches throughout our area have monthly food drives, but because of circumstances, we aren’t meeting in our churches,” Gilbert said.
Also because of the coronavirus, the pantries and food bank aren’t accepting food donations but are instead pooling their resources for bulk purchases of food, Gilbert said.
“These individuals are tireless in their efforts to see that people in need receive food whether there is a pandemic or emergency. They are warriors. Now when there are so many restrictions on their normal operations because of the COVID-19 they need the monetary donations to meet the expanding need,” Gilbert said.
There are three food pantries serving the Elizabeth-Forward area with monthly distributions:
• Central Food Pantry of Elizabeth Township, 425 Scenery Drive, Elizabeth, which serves Elizabeth Township, including Blythdale, Buena Vista, Bunola, Boston, Elizabeth, Frank, Greenock, Industry and Mustard Hollow.
• Elizabeth Borough Food Pantry, 735 Bunola River Road, Elizabeth, which serves Elizabeth Borough.
• Round Hill Presbyterian Church Food Pantry, 2150 Round Hill Church Road, Elizabeth.
Gilbert said anyone unable to make it to the drive-through collection may send a check directly to one of those sites or may send a check to the Greenock U.M. Church, 1213 Greenock Buena Vista Drive, McKeesport, PA 15135, marked “Food Pantry” in the memo area.
“The pantries and the food bank work together,” Gilbert said.
According to Gilbert, monetary donations will allow the local pantries and food bank to purchase food in large quantities directly from manufacturers, reduce physical contact and quickly re-distribute to those in need. Gilbert said every dollar raised helps to provide up to five meals for families and individuals.
Gilbert said volunteers will be stationed in the church parking lot and will have large baskets to collect donations from the cars to reduce contact.
Gilbert said people who may find themselves in dire need of food can call 211 to immediately receive a box of food instead of waiting for the monthly distribution at the pantries or weekly distributions through the food bank.
Gilbert said because of the increase in unemployment due to the business shutdowns required by the state, more families have been finding themselves in need. Gilbert said this is a free, confidential referral and information helpline that connects people of all ages and communities to the health and human services they need, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 211 can be accessed by phone or computer.