Emporia played host to two large-scale food giveaways Tuesday afternoon courtesy of two separate charitable entities.
The first giveaway courtesy of Abundant Harvest, in partnership with the Kansas Food Bank, Tyson Fresh Meats and Russell Stovers, saw hundreds of cars lined up out front of the Abundant Harvest facility at 1028 Whittier through the early afternoon hours. Southbound traffic stretched around the corner to as far back as 12th Ave. and Cottonwood Street at one time.
Emporia Rescue Mission Director Lee Alderman says they were expecting a sizeable turnout especially because of the partners involved.
Alderman says this is just the beginning of a monthly food giveaway that will be taking place the second Tuesday of every month. The next giveaway will take place at Abundant Harvest on Jun. 8 and will include Hostess products.
Following the Abundant Harvest giveaway, First United Methodist Church also saw a large gathering of vehicles at their parking lot for their second food giveaway in partnership with the Farmers to Families program. Organizer and church member Dana Roemer says the need for food in the local community is tremendous and became even more apparent at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The church giveaway saw 900 boxes of food and 900 gallons of milk handed out through the late afternoon hours. On top of the giveaway, Roemer says the church also encouraged residents to take advantage of the church’s weekly food pantry from 9 am to 12 pm Thursdays and Fridays.
For more information on Abundant Harvest contact Alderman by calling 620-794-2977 and for questions regarding First United Methodist Church’s food pantry contact the church by calling 620-342-6186 or visit fumchurch.org.
Photos by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE News
{gallery}051121 Food Giveaways{/gallery}
