Westmoreland County Food Bank sees increased demand

The need for emergency food assistance has skyrocketed in Westmoreland County.

CEO Jennifer Miller said prior to the pandemic, the Westmoreland County Food Bank received about two calls per month for emergency assistance. Now, the organization is seeing about three to five calls a day from people in immediate need of food.

Miller said the high cost of food and the loss of financial support offered during the pandemic has made it “outrageous to be able to feed a family.”

In 2022, 49 million people relied upon food banks and community programs, according to Feeding America — an organization that supports local food banks and strives to combat hunger nationwide. The organization also said many families who face food insecurity do not qualify for federal nutrition programs, so they turn to local food banks and programs for support.

Miller agreed, noting many visitors rely on the food bank to help supply items to tide them over until their next paycheck. The food bank’s emergency relief provides seven to 10 days worth of food, while directing recipients to the food pantry closest to their home to cut down on transportation spending.

“We’re trying to make sure everyone is being taken care of and getting what they need,” Miller said.

To help meet the immediate need, the food bank also is expanding its Mobile Market, a program that launched last October to deliver fresh produce to “food deserts” across the county, such as Jeannette and Scottdale. Through funding from the federal American Rescue Plan, the food bank will purchase a new truck from which to operate the Mobile Market.

Program coordinator Lea-Ann White said the truck will allow the Mobile Market to expand its initiative. The food bank will announce a Mobile Market schedule detailing locations and times once the truck is ready.

“We’re hoping to target those food deserts — those places where (people) don’t have grocery stores nearby … and those areas that are low income,” White said. “People live there, but they really have to trek to go out and get fruits and vegetables.”

The food bank and Mobile Market will host stations at the Human Services Fair organized by the Department of Human Services from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, July 13 at Westmoreland County Community College near Youngwood. The fair will showcase a variety of services available to Westmoreland County residents.

In the meantime, the food bank is looking for volunteers to help deliver food to senior citizens, or to work at the warehouse in Salem or one of its 40 food pantries. Food and financial donations are also accepted.

“The community is an imperative part of what we do,” Miller said.