Highmark Wholecare to hold free food drive today in Monessen

“Farm-to-Family” produce markets continue with first Westmoreland County fresh produce giveaway.

For the MVI

Highmark Wholecare will continue its 2025 Farm-to-Family produce markets in Monessen with a drive-thru food distribution in collaboration with the Westmoreland County Food Bank, City of Monessen and Monessen City School District.

The drive-thru food distribution will be from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. today while supplies last in the Eastgate parking lot at 1 Wendell- Ramey Lane, Monessen.

This event marks the first Farm-to-Family event in Westmoreland County and will include Medicaid renewals, Medicaid application assistance and remarks from community leaders. This is part of a 25-stop tour that will bring over 120,000 pounds of fresh produce to more than 6,000 families across Pennsylvania.

“We are thrilled to bring our Farm-to-Family program to Westmoreland County for the very first time,” said Michael Callaghan, Connection Center supervisor, Highmark Wholecare. “We are also incredibly grateful to collaborate with such outstanding organizations as we work together to address food insecurity in Monessen. We’re looking forward to a successful event and hope to hold more in the future.”

Highmark Wholecare piloted the approach in 2024, distributing 84,000 pounds of food to 3,500 families. Due to overwhelming demand and community impact, the program has scaled up by 40% in 2025.

The recent formal launch at Sto-Rox High School marked the beginning of a multi-county rollout that will stretch through fall. Future sites in southwestern Pennsylvania include Charleroi, Bellevue, Duquesne, Aliquippa and more.