What: The JPC Drive-Thru Free Food Giveaway
When: Monday, March 21, 2022, from 2 pm to 6:30 pm. (Rain-Snow or Shine)
What: The JPC Walkers Free Food Giveaway
When: Tuesday, March 22, 2022, from 3 pm to 6 pm. (Rain-Snow or Shine)
Where: Johnson Park Center (JPC) Food Pantry, 1400 West Street (Block) Utica, NY 13501
Contact: JPC Office from 1 pm to 5 pm (315) 734-9608
E-mail at revmeier@johnsonparkcenter.org
Utica, NY. This is such an essential matter; we are sharing again this month. JPC was asked why we have only one (1) Drive-Thru Free Food Giveaway per month. There are two (2) main reasons we only have one (1) Drive-Thru per month. Hunger Solutions New York says, “For the 2.2 million people living in NYS households struggle against hunger, COVID-19 presents unique challenges.” Johnson Park Center (JPC) Food Pantry and “Food banks and pantries, too, are struggling with increased costs, substituting or pulling the most expensive products, like beef, from offerings.
What’s more, food donations are down, even as the number of people seeking help remains elevated.” “Many households are forced to adjust their shopping lists or seek assistance, but food banks feel the pinch. With food prices soaring, many Americans have found their household budgets upended, forcing difficult choices at the supermarket and putting new demands on programs intended to help.
Also, it takes a lot of volunteers to provide the JPC Drive-Thru Free Food Giveaway Service. Feeding America says, “Nearly two-thirds of food banks are accepting volunteers. Many food banks need your help and have volunteer opportunities available right now! Before the pandemic, food banks relied on the generous time of nearly 2 million volunteers per month. Since COVID-19, volunteer numbers are down, but the need is even higher, as many regular volunteers are in the higher-risk category and stay home. Please, you can help the JPC Food Pantry in person by volunteering or at home by giving donations. We will continue to serve the people, and JPC adjusts to alleviate hunger and food security.
We are thankful for the many in our community working together with JPC to fight hunger and food insecurity. We thank our ongoing funders and donors for the financial gifts to purchase food for needy persons. With the support from the Food Bank of Central New York (FBCNY), NYS Restaurant Resiliency Program American-Grill Restaurant; generous food donations from the Compassion Coalition, various Financial Donors-(government, private & organizations, and individuals), our fantastic volunteers, staff, and board, we will have the JPC Food Pantry Drive-Thru (cars/vehicles only) Free Food Giveaway for disadvantaged families, seniors and single individuals around JPC Sites in the 1400 Block of West Street, Utica, New York 13501 “Rain-Snow or Shine” on Monday, March 21, 2022, from 2 pm to 6:30 pm.
Starting on the corner of Arthur and West Streets, cars/vehicles will line up at the registration station. The Registration Personnel wearing facemasks will check all Participants’ JPC Food Pantry Card (JPCFPC). If you do not have a JPCFPC, the Registration Personnel will ask you to print your name and check the processed cards. If they find your card, they will give it to you. If the Registration Personnel does not see your card, they will direct you to the Intake Station. The Intake Personnel will check for the status concerning your JPCFPC. If needed, they will assist you in completing the required documents on-site to receive a JPCFPC. The Registration/ or intake Personnel, The number of households represented in each car, will be placed on its windshield. Then you will drive up to each Food Station, where volunteers will put the food in your car/vehicle.
If you do not have a car/vehicle, please come to the JPC Food Pantry Walkers Free Food Giveaway on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, between 3 pm to 6 pm in the 1400 Block of West Street Utica, New York 13501 “Rain-Snow or Shine.”
A tractor-trailer full of food will be available to give to the community. Food items may include pork loin, polish sausage, taco bowl, rice, corn, fresh produce, fresh fruits, blueberry, almonds, yogurt, dairy box, cereal, muffin (berry), bread, etc. We will also have Frozen Ready to Eats Meals- American Meatloaf with Mash Potatoes and Pasta Primavera – Vegetarian prepared by American Grill. During these challenging times of the pandemic, by fighting hunger and food insecurity, the JPC Free Food Giveaway helps families, seniors, and singles to have food on their tables, be food secured and be a stepping stone to self-sufficiency.
Please join us as we need additional sponsors, donors, volunteers, and media to make long-term commitments to fight hunger and food insecurity? You are unique to all currently making investments and partnering with JPC. JPC is so grateful and appreciative of your dedication to serving families, children, and single individuals in need. Thank you, Food Bank of Central New York (FBCNY), NYS Restaurant Resiliency Program-American-Grill Restaurant, the Compassion Coalition, the Emergency Food, and Shelter Program (EFSP), CASA Imports, Candella’s Farm & Greenhouses, and the Mohawk Street Hannaford; STB Enterprises Inc., Apex Document Solutions, JetNet, LLC, Excellus Health Plan, Inc., The Benevity Community Impact Fund, Preswick Glen, Residents Association; The Bank of Utica, First Source Federal Credit Union; the Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties; the United Way of the Mohawk Valley; “Utica National Foundation Group, Capraro Technologies, Inc. (CTI), the Friends of Johnson Park Center Education Fund, M&T Bank/Partners Charitable Fund, Mele Family Fund, all are Donor-Advised Funds at the Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties;” the Key Bank, Stericycle Inc., Hospice & Palliative Care; MVP Health; the Oneida County Youth Bureau, First Baptist Church, JCTOD Church & Seed of Hope. We received monetary and food donations from various donors, businesses, organizations, and individual supporters, the Oneida County Youth Employment Program; our Fantastic Volunteers, JPC/JPA Staff & Shelter Program Participants, JPC Facebook Encouragers and Supporters; and Media Coverage from WKTV, WUTR, Spectrum News, the Utica Phoenix, the Observer-Dispatch, Rome Sentinel, 96.1 The Eagle, Bug Country 99.7 & 101.1, Talk of the Town 100.7, and American Town Utica.
Thank you so much for your continual support & Join Positive Change at Johnson Park Center (JPC)
