The Wayland Area Mobile Food Pantry (Food Truck) completed another successful year in 2018, providing fresh fruit and vegetables, along with other edible items to the local food insecure population.
“Each month we provide food to between 70 and 110 families,” said coordinator Coleen Young. “With an average of 3.5 members per family, this means we are helping feed between 245 and 385 people each month.”
She said the program from February, 2018 through January, 2019 distributed 51,175 pounds of food, to which contributors paid $2400 in total. Each of the participating church contributed $125 per month for 11 months and there was a grant and individual donor to make up the difference in cost.
Feeding America reported all the food distributed came from donations, but if they had to purchase the food, it would have cost an approximately $111,600. The money contributed each month ($545) goes to costs that include paying for storage, refrigeration, truck distribution, workers and other administrative duties. These administrative cost average out to three cents per pound of food.
“We have a great group of volunteers, but over the past few months, the number has diminished,” Young said. “It takes 15 to 20 people each month for the distribution. Since the United Church of Wayland is the distribution site, they manage to have the most volunteers. Unfortunately, we only average one volunteer from each of our other churches.
“We encourage all local churches to find at least four volunteers to help each month.”
Volunteers are asked to be at the United Church, (411 E. Superior St.) every third Friday of the month by 3:45 p.m. dressed for the weather. Distribution is from 4:30 to 5:30, with cleanup completed no later than 6 pm.
Anyone with questions can call Young at 616-260-5923.
