Food drive scheduled for Saturday in Charleroi

By TAYLOR BROWN

tbrown@yourmvi.com

A volunteer group started in response to the COVID-19 pandemic hopes to have a third successful food drive this week.

Local volunteers with the Small Towns, Big Hearts initiative have been collecting non-perishable food items to distribute to Mon Valley communities for the past month.

The group, spearheaded by Fallowfield Township residents Michele Vidnjvich-Zitz and Lisa Bellantoni, along with help from a host of other residents, has passed out food to Fallowfield Township and Donora residents.

The group’s next stop is Charleroi.

Sponsored by Barchemy in the Donora Industrial Park, the next food drive is set for 11 a.m. Saturday at the Charleroi Volunteer Fire Department.

Collection for the food drive will begin today at the fire hall. Food can be dropped off daily from 4 to 7 p.m. through Friday.

So far, the food drive has helped hundred of families in the Mon Valley.

In Fallowfield, 195 families were given boxes of food, and an additional 250 boxes were passed out in Donora last week.

In Charleroi, volunteers are preparing to pack 300 boxes for drive-through pick-up.

Residents without cars will be able to pick up bags of food that are easy to carry.

Vidnjvich-Zitz said the group has collected and distributed more than $21,000 worth of food so far.

They need about $8,000 — in food or monetary donations — to cover the cost of the distribution in Charleroi.

Most donations of food are made directly to the group.

Monetary donations are also collected and kept in a bank account established by Barchemy for the effort.

As the pandemic continues, despite restrictions being lifted in certain areas, donations are becoming more difficult to obtain.

“Things are flattening out and you can see it,” Vidnjvich-Zitz said. “Things are slowing down and I am getting more phone calls of need than we ever have before. The tide is changing and people are struggling.”

The need is rising as layoffs increase and unemployment agencies try to keep up with the demand, but donations and food availability are declining.

“No one is making what they are used to making,” she said. “If donations slow down, I am worried about not being able to give everyone what they need.

“It worries me every day.”

Still, she is hopeful the Mon Valley will continue to rally for its neighbors.

“We have seen the generosity of the Mon Valley,” she said. “We just hope that we are able to continue to come together for those who need it most.”

The group accepts non-perishable food donations, canned goods, dried fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, protein bars, spaghetti sauce, tea and juice.

Monetary donations can be made by check to Barchemy and mailed to 65 E. First St., Donora, PA 15033.

For more information, call Vidnjvich-Zitz at 724-777-8890.