First 'Fresh Express' distribution for food bank clients coming to New Kensington

A drive-thru distribution for food bank recipients in the New Kensington area will be held outside United Presbyterian Church in New Kensington on Monday.

Grab-n-Go Fresh Express, previously known as Operation Fresh Express, is an invitation-only distribution that will run from 3:45 to 5 p.m., said Lea-Ann White, program coordinator with the Westmoreland County Food Bank.

City Council approved the church’s request to close Sixth Street between Fourth and Sixth avenues for the event.

It’s open to food bank and pantry participants in the 15068 ZIP code, said Julia Yockey, the food bank coordinator at United Presbyterian.

Volunteers from the church will assist food bank employees, Yockey said.

United Presbyterian has its own food pantry, which distributes food on the Saturday after the first Thursday of every month.

What makes Fresh Express different is that it’s open to people who use other food banks and pantries, Yockey said.

“It’s an additional distribution that’s not tied to their specific food bank location,” she said.

White said about 425 people who are clients at six pantries have been invited. But, based on how many usually show up, they will be prepared for between 125 and 150.

Those who are eligible can just show up. It is not open to the general public.

The food bank holds the distribution weekly from March through December in Westmoreland County as a supplement to the pantry program. It comes to New Kensington twice a year; St. George Orthodox Church will host it in September.

“We get a lot of fresh produce and other perishable items donated to us. We need a pretty quick turnaround,” White said. “It doesn’t give us time to distribute those through our normal pantry avenues. We distribute those through this Grab-n-Go.”

Last year, the distribution was held as a walk-thru. White said this will be the first time it will be drive-thru.

White said they won’t know what foods will be offered until it comes in. She said there will definitely be produce, canned and boxed items, some sort of beverage, possibly meat and other items.

It will be prepacked and placed in cars.

Yockey suggested those planning to come bring with them the slip they would have received from their pantry concerning Fresh Express.