The Redbank Valley Church Association (RVCA) Food Pantry has helped provide food assistance to qualifying families in the area since 2001, with dozens of volunteers joining forces to help with the many steps of collecting, shelving, and distributing food on a monthly basis.

The RVCA Food Pantry originally served only the residents of the Redbank Valley School District which lies in two counties – Clarion and Armstrong.  All food distributed was supplied by the church association.  Later, food supplied by the state and federal governments became available for distribution only to Clarion County residents who have not received such food elsewhere that month; Armstrong residents must go to Oak Ridge, Kellersburg, or another Armstrong site for the food provided with government funds.

The food pantry operates out of the former Krouse Auto Parts store at 441 Broad Street in New Bethlehem.  Food distribution occurs twice a month – the morning of the second Tuesday for the participating patrons in Broadwood Towers and South Bethlehem House, and on the third Tuesday afternoon for the qualifying general public. On food distribution days, patrons may receive up to two or three boxes of food depending on the size of the household unit and on their residence (see the guidelines below). Household units may vary from a single person to families of eight or more.

Even if the actual food distribution is primarily confined to two half days a month, its operation is an ongoing process. Between the distribution
days are behind-the-scenes services ranging from unloading a truck from Second Harvest in Erie (normally on the morning of the first Wednesday of the month) to the gathering of breads or baked goods six days a week from the cooperating Tom’s Riverside Market.  Items are also collected on varied days, as available, from other sources.
The truck from Second Harvest delivers food made available with funds from the state and federal governments.  It also brings food that has been donated by individuals, corporations, and other organizations.  For such donated food, the RVCA pays a nominal “shared maintenance” charge of approximately thirteen cents per pound.  State and federal regulations govern the income and residence requirements for receiving the food supplied by government sources.  RVCA guidelines establish such boundaries for the distribution of donated food.

Opportunities for service are many and varied, allowing participation by volunteers of almost any age or ability level.  Tasks range from the heavy lifting required to unload the Second Harvest trucks, place cases of canned goods on shelves, or load food into cars to the light work of packing a few items into “treat” bags, setting a few cans on a shelf, or doing the required paperwork associated with the operation of the program.