Second cancellation for Monessen food distribution

By TAYLOR BROWN

tbrown@yourmvi.com

A food distribution that would help more than 1,000 families in the Mon Valley has been canceled until further notice. 

The Farmers to Families Food Box, part of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, was developed last May in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It has provided more than 132 million food boxes in support of American farmers and families affected by the pandemic and in its fifth round of distribution was set to make deliveries in the Mon Valley.

Originally set to begin Feb. 5, it had to be postponed because of a delay in deliveries, likely because of inclement weather. 

The distribution, rescheduled for Friday, had to be pushed back again. 

Monessen Mayor Matt Shorraw said the issue falls on the federal government. 

“Unfortunately, we must cancel the food distribution program for Mon Valley residents, until we get confirmation from the USDA on when the truck will be scheduled to arrive,” Shorraw said, citing problems from the USDA and delivery schedules. 

“The USDA’s distribution network has failed to follow through on the promises made for the Monessen food distribution,” he said. “So there will be no food distribution until organizers receive confirmed dates in writing from the USDA.”

To read the rest of the story, please see a copy of Saturday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at http://monvalleyindependent.com.