The New Love Center’s Mobile Food Pantry continues to make a significant impact by providing essential nutrition to residents in Lycoming County, with a recent stop at Geisinger Muncy serving as a testament to its outreach efforts.
Food insecurity, characterized by limited access to nutritious food, has seen a concerning rise throughout the state, particularly since the onset of the pandemic. This increase is partially attributed to the expiration of enhanced food assistance benefits.
Alice Fox Cline, Director of Operations for the New Love Center, emphasized the primary mission of the Mobile Food Pantry: “The Mobile Food Pantry is really to access areas where people may not be able to reach food, who are food insecure.”
This mobile initiative serves various regions within Lycoming and Clinton counties and has established a valuable partnership with Geisinger, facilitating vital community support.
Cline highlighted the growth in clientele, stating, “We come here once a month, and our clients have grown tremendously,” as a testament to the program’s success in Muncy Township.
She further explained the essential role of the Mobile Food Pantry: “That’s really what the mobile unit is for, to go around to the different parts of the two counties, Lycoming and Clinton, and to ensure that people have an opportunity to get food.”
To access the pantry’s provisions, individuals are required to present a photo ID and complete a self-declaration form, with no income verification checks conducted. Cline emphasized the importance of this approach in facilitating accessibility for those in need.
The response from community members seeking assistance through the mobile pantry has been overwhelmingly positive. Cline described it as “wonderful” and noted the impact it has had on the community. She shared stories of individuals discovering the pantry for the first time and expressed satisfaction in the outreach efforts, stating, “We’re definitely making an impact on the community.”
The New Love Center’s Mobile Food Pantry continues to demonstrate the vital role it plays in addressing food insecurity and providing essential support to residents in need.
