Leechburg food distribution organizers say need is clear as 600 boxes go in about 30 minutes

Volunteers at a food distribution event Saturday in Leechburg swiftly doled out more than 600 boxes of fresh meat, yogurt and produce to people struggling with basic needs nearly a year into the lingering covid-19 pandemic.

“The lines are crazy,” said volunteer Reilly Sullivan, 15. “We take for granted how much people need something simple like food.”

Sullivan was among seven members of the Kiski Area varsity girls basketball team who braved frigid temperatures to work the morning event in the Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company parking lot along Canal Street.

Hosted by the Kiski Valley Community Church, in partnership with the USDA Farmers to Families Food Box, the distribution was the second of four slated for the Leechburg-area community.

Similar events are scheduled for 10 a.m. the next two Saturdays.

In a bright orange vest, 84-year-old Ethel Mae Tidd directed traffic that snaked in multiple lines through the parking lot, onto Canal Street and back to Market Street. She described it as “an honor” to be providing food for people in need.

“I took a box home for my neighbor because her husband refuses to accept any help,” Tidd said. “There were beautiful apples and potatoes, and a whole quart of yogurt. People are so thankful.”

Though the distribution wasn’t scheduled to begin until 10 a.m., volunteers started ushering cars through the lot by about 9:40 a.m.

At that point, vehicles were lined up solid and were overflowing onto Market Street, a busy borough road.

In about 30 minutes, nearly all the boxes were handed out.

It was a similar scene last week when a horde of vehicles showed up hours before the scheduled start, set for noon. Food was distributed more than an hour early at the request of police to avoid traffic hazards.

The Rev. Todd Pugh, pastor at Kiski Valley Community Church, said he expected to receive a full truckload of 1,300 boxes but only half came through.

Residents who lined up for help and couldn’t get a box are encouraged to contact the Leechburg Food Bank, he said.

Recipient Beth Detzer was thankful she made the cut. Detzer was picking up for two neighbors, one a family with six children and the other a family of four.

“I know a lot of people who are still out of work and they need this,” she said. “People are hurting.”

Volunteer Belinda Szarek said she has heard countless stories of appreciation and is glad response is overwhelming.

“You just never know who needs the help,” she said. “The response has been great, and that’s exactly what we’re here for.”