Leechburg food bank thankful for large donations
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Those who rely on Leechburg’s food bank are benefiting from two large donations this month.
For at least the third time, the Leechburg Elks lodge donated 1,000 pounds of groceries valued at $2,000. The groceries were purchased locally and, to the delight of food bank volunteers, delivered.
An anonymous Alle-Kiski Valley resident also gave $5,000, according to the Rev. Gary Lyon, co-pastor of Cross Roads Community Presbyterian Church.
“That individual is not from Leechburg but has helped a number of food banks in the Alle-Kiski Valley,” Lyon said.
Lyon volunteers with food bank coordinators Robin Patton and Paul Shaner. The food bank is able to operate because of facilities provided by First United Methodist Church in Leechburg.
Patton said Steve Parker of the Elks “bought and delivered spaghetti sauce and pasta, peanut butter and jelly, cans of tuna and chicken, and apple sauce.”
Lyon added that the 1,000 pounds of food purchased by the Elks will last a couple of months.
About 84 families in the area regularly rely on the food bank, Patton said. That number can climb to more than 200 families at certain times of the year, according to Lyons.
Leechburg’s food bank receives about half of its food from Armstrong Community Action, which buys from the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
“We purchase more than half of the food … from Sprankles in Leechburg, and Sprankles delivers it,” Lyon said.