Mid-South Food Bank's mobile pantry in desperate need of volunteers

The program, which is partnered with the Mid-South Food Bank and the Dyersburg Noon Rotary, will have its first food distribution take place on Friday, Nov. 20, at 9 a.m. at the National Guard Armory on Community Park Road in Dyersburg.

Mark Oakes of the Salvation Army said they anticipated around 400 families would sign up for the program, but that number has grown to 830.

"This has blown through all of our expectations," said Oakes. "It is a learning process for us."

Oakes said they have 35 volunteers to distribute the food when it comes in, but they need more than 55 or 60 to handle the additional food.

"We need volunteers," said Oakes. "We can use anyone and everyone to help us."

Also, the scheduled time the food will be distributed has changed. The reported time of 8 a.m. has been pushed back an hour, to 9 a.m., due to the supply truck not leaving Memphis until 7 a.m. Oakes said they did not learn until Monday that the time would be changed. He said families with vouchers should come at 9 a.m.

Oakes also said next month's numbers for distribution have grown even more, to over 1,000 families.

"It's sad that it's this much need in the community," said Oakes, "But, we are here to help."

Participants in the program must be screened and have a voucher to show they are eligible to receive food.

Applicant screening and vouchers are available now at Matthew 25:40, The Salvation Army and the Union Mission. Any resident of Dyer County who has documentation proving that they receive any one of the following types of aid qualifies.

1. SNAP (food stamp) benefits,

2. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

3. Supplemental Security Income

4. Residence in Public Housing

5. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funds

The mobile pantry will be held monthly at the National Guard Armory on the third Friday of each month. Participants must show an original copy of their voucher and have some form of identification.

Mid-South Food Bank's truck arrives at the armory loaded with several thousand pounds of wholesome food, with an emphasis on perishable products such as fresh produce and bakery items, but also dry products including canned goods, snacks, condiments and other items from the Food Bank warehouse.

One feature of the mobile pantry distribution is boxes of specially packaged USDA foods for distribution in Tennessee only. Each box contains a variety of USDA commodities. The truck unloads and volunteers from the Salvation Army and Dyersburg Noon Rotary will set up a special distribution and restock items as needed. Any product left from the mobile pantry distribution shall remain with the host agency.

Mid-South Food Bank does not receive handling or delivery fees from the Salvation Army for mobile pantry products. Food is distributed free of charge, without discrimination, on a first-come basis.

Clients are screened using the Tennessee state income guidelines. Precautions are taken to assure that each client receives an appropriate supply of food and is receiving food for that person's use or their family's use.

The mobile pantry is operated under the Salvation Army's 501(c)(3) exemption in collaboration with Mid-South Food Bank.

Volunteers are desperately needed to help distribute food. Please call Mark Oakes at 731-589-2050 or e-mail him at mark@markoakes.com.