Long line at this morning’s food distribution in Albion
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Julie Horton, left, and Hannah Donley of Iroquois Job Corps in Medina were among the volunteers this morning during a food distribution in Albion at the parking lot of the Main Street Thrift Store.
One of the delivery trucks was later than expected. Normally the distribution starts around 8:15 to 8:30, but didn’t get going until about 9. At that point some people had been waiting since 6 a.m. There was a long line of vehicles down Chamberlain Street, McKinstry Street, East Park Street, and down Main Street past the intersection with Route 31.
There were three boxes of food for each of the more than 300 vehicles. The event ended about 10:30.
Ashtin Fiegel of the Iroquois Job Corps Center sorts out boxes of fruits and vegetables. Most of the people received a box with grapes, strawberries, peppers, Brussels sprouts, apples, blackberries, raspberries, radishes and oranges.
The Job Corps had a team of volunteers and they were instrumental in getting the food sorted and set in the vehicles this morning.
The food distributions are made possible through a state-funded program called Nourish New York. This funding allows Foodlink to purchase local product.
On a federal level, the USDA has implemented a new initiative called CFAP (Coronavirus Food Assistance Program). In this program, distributors who would normally serve schools, restaurants, and municipal programs are able to pre-pack boxes of perishable product and deliver to distributions being done all over the country.
Kenneth McNeil, left, and Greg Gilman of Community Action of Orleans & Genesee get the pallets of food ready this morning after it was delivered to Albion.
The next food distribution will be in a week on Sept. 18. The location has been moved from Medina Central School to the Ridgeway Fire Hall, 11392 Ridge Rd.
The entrance will be on Horan Road and the line will be facing north towards Ridge Road, where vehicles will exit.
The events is promoted to start at 9 but could begin earlier if the delivery trucks and volunteers are in place.
