PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A local nonprofit that gets food to the people who need it most is asking the community to get involved as it faces a 2,000-lb. produce shortage.
The Keystone Opportunity Center’s Fresh for All program helps residents in Bucks and Montgomery counties. Volunteers distribute free produce from various donors every Tuesday in Souderton. According to Executive Director Brandon Trombetta, the program serves about 270 families each week.
However, Trombetta says an increase in the number of people who need food assistance has spread donations thin. “Some of the assistance we received from different organizations is being cut in order to redistribute it to other communities in need,” he said, adding that 2,000 lbs. of 5,500 lbs. of produce intended for weekly distribution to local families has been lost.
Clarice Foster, the center’s food pantry manager, sees the effects of the shortage firsthand.
“It’s very difficult to see the look on their faces when they realize it’s not as much as they’re used to or not what they're expecting,” she said, “to have to tell these cars that are coming through, ‘Hey, we can only give you one bag of food this time around or there won’t be enough food for everyone.’”
Trombetta says there are a number of things the public can do to help the center combat this shortage.
“If you have additional produce that you’re growing, or if you happen to know someone who is growing extra produce, we are always open to accepting donations of produce to deliver from our food programs into the community,” he said. Other options include donating money or volunteering.