PROJECT OF EASTON’S INTERFAITH FOOD PANTRY MOVES TO FULL CHOICE, NEEDS VOLUNTEERS

 ProJeCt of Easton’s Interfaith Food Pantry will become a full-choice pantry for clients beginning April 28, 2014, increasing the level of dignity afforded clients as well as ProJeCt’s need for volunteers. The announcement was made today by ProJeCt of Easton Emergency Services Manager Carolyn Engle.

“We are excited to offer our clients a distribution model that empowers each person to make their food selections directly from our shelves. This model ensures that every item going home with a client will be utilized, because the client chose it according to their family’s personal tastes and dietary recommendations from healthcare professionals,” Engle said. 

Food Pantry Coordinator Brandon Pariser is in full support of this renewed focus on client health. With a background in health care, he is well versed in the role food plays in the overall health of an individual.

“Many of our clients have been advised by a medical professional to reduce sodium, avoid fats or cut out ingredients to which they are allergic. It’s critical that we provide them full access to our available inventory to make those choices. We will be working with each family to ensure we have the items they need and provide education and support when necessary. No one should have to place their health at risk in order to avoid hunger,” Pariser said.  

Supported in large part by donations from the community, the ProJeCt of Easton Interfaith Food Pantry provides two-to-three-day supplies of food to more than 750 households each month. In fiscal year 2012-2013, ProJeCt served a total of 9,101 households consisting of 19,491 individuals during regularly scheduled distributions which take place Monday 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM and Thursdays from 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM. This is accomplished in large part with the help of volunteers. Last year, ProJeCt volunteers recorded 2,690 hours.

“While we are excited about our move to full choice, we know it will require the help of additional volunteers,” Engle said. “The pantry offers volunteers several opportunities for interesting and challenging work they can feel passionate about and we hope members of the community will join us as we work to help people help themselves.”

ProJeCt is a community benefit human service agency founded by local clergy and community leaders in the wake of the King assassination and in response to the rising tide of poverty and social unrest of 1968. Its purpose was to advocate for action and to provide service to an under- served poor population in Easton, Pennsylvania. Today the agency provides assistance to more than 5,000 people a year, serving Easton (population 26,000) and the surrounding communities in Northampton County (population 295,000), Pennsylvania. Services include tiers of service including an emergency assistance and food program, case management support services that assist people in developing life skills and moving to self-sufficiency and educational programs that include adult basic literacy, English as a second language, GED preparation, family literacy and supplemental education programs for school age children. 

For more information or to volunteer, please contact 610-258-4361.