Mercer County adds another food bank distribution site to reach rural area

JACKSON CENTER, Pa. (WKBN) – The Mercer County Food Bank is expanding its reach to feed more people in the county.

The food bank has been working with Vincent New Beginnings Church over the last few months to set up a new food distribution site at the church in Jackson Center.

“The demographics say that this ZIP code is the poorest ZIP code in Mercer County and that we are a food desert,” Pastor Janet Pratt said.

Rebecca Page, executive director of the Mercer County Food Bank, says this site will help fill the gap in an area where there isn’t currently a food pantry.

“Jackson Center, we don’t have any agencies nearby that community. It’s very rural, considered a food desert — meaning they don’t have close access to a grocery store that offers fresh foods.”

One of the biggest barriers in the area, they say, is access to food.

“The only types of stores in that area are dollar stores,” Page said. “So it is quite a hike for someone if they need to get to a grocery store.”

Transportation is also an issue.

“People that have food insecurities also don’t have the money, necessarily, for transportation to other food pantries,” Pratt said.

Setting up this food pantry will help bring the food closer to those people in need.

The food will be distributed inside the church on the fourth Wednesday of every month by church volunteers.

It’s set to open and start feeding families next month.

“The food pantry folks tell us that we’ll probably start out slow at around 50 families but to expect it to grow very quickly,” Pratt said.

Pratt says the church volunteers are eager to start helping people.

“There is nothing in this community to help feed the hungry and so just having it more convenient here in this area is going to be extremely helpful for people.”

To be able to get food from the pantry, you need to be signed up, meet the income requirement and live in Mercer County.

For more information on the food bank or to sign up for assistance, visit Mercer County Food Bank’s website .

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