LINTON, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Dozens of cars were lined up at Humphreys Park in Linton on Monday morning for a Mobile Food Pantry.
Wendy Bailey of Glenburg Senior Living said community partners have joined together every month, for the past two years, to give out food.
“On the third Monday of every month we host a mobile food pantry”, Bailey said. “It’s community partners coming together in partnership with Catholic Charities in Terre Haute. They bring a box truck with food and then we unload. All of my volunteers are community businesses or just individuals that want to volunteer.”
Any person in need of food can drive through and have a full bag loaded into their car. Bailey said she also checks to see if anybody is struggling with other issues they can help with.
“I’ll go through and do screening, see if there is any other social determines of health they might need”, Bailey said. “Whether that is mental health services, if they’re needing insurance assistance, or if they need housing or a more stable food supply, I will refer them to the community resources for that.”
This month, a new organization has joined the cause. Tandem is a perinatal resource center based in Bloomington. Office Manager Erin Loughery gave out supplies for people of all ages.
“We have diapers in size newborn to three”, Loughery said. “We also have wipes, pads, tampons, adult incontinence items, and our car seat safety checks. If we deem that a car seat is unsafe, we have state-funded car seats that we are able to pass out as well.”
Monday, the pantry served over 100 households, almost 300 individuals, and gave out diapers for 25 kids, but Bailey said, for her, the relationships formed comes before the numbers.
“My favorite part is getting to go to each car and talk to the families because I’ve learned to know them, and they become a part of our family as well”, Bailey said. “They think that we need a thank you, but we don’t look for that. What we are looking at is that simple how are you doing today, we’re happy to see you, and do you have everything you need.”
There were also six safety seat checks done on Monday and two of those were replaced to align with the state’s safety regulations to keep kids safe.
The next Mobile Food Pantry will be on October 20th.
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