MINERSVILLE - Food was piled high on every table Friday at the St. Matthew the Evangelist parish annex as volunteers from various churches and organizations in the borough packed and delivered donations for the Minersville Area Food Drive Committee's 28th annual Holiday Food Drive.
"Twenty-eight years ago we started very small and it has just increased each year," Minersville Food Drive Chairman Edward M. Butler said Friday.
Items were collected by area schools, churches, small businesses, large corporations, service organizations, Scouts, St. Vincent de Paul Society and other clubs starting Dec. 1 and will continue until Feb. 28 as the committee will need to restock the food pantry.
"They know that this is a place where people come for help," Butler said. "We are building a really strong feeding program together and we feel we are really making a difference in the community."
Packages contained food beyond one meal and were delivered to more than 100 families in the Minersville area, Butler said, noting that all requests for food will be met. The first volunteers showed up at the church hall at 7 a.m. while others came later and stayed until all the food was delivered.
Butler said new items collected this year included dairy products, butter and different kinds of vegetables and meats, including chicken and sausage.
While the number of donations was not available Friday afternoon, Butler said more than 21,000 cans, packaged food and other non-perishable items, including turkey and other meats, were collected and distributed last year. He said it looked like there was even more this year.
Butler said recipients included many senior citizens on a fixed income benefit from the donations as well as working families in tough times.
"The thank you that you get from the people gives you a great satisfaction," Rose Ann Sep, Minersville, said Friday while sorting items for boxes.
John Vrabel, Minersville, was also volunteering Friday.
"We are all human beings and have to take care of each other," he said.
Butler said the food pantry does not require people to give proof of income to receive help.
"I think Minersville is a community that cares about its people and those that move here," Butler said. "It's hard to get people to come forward for help, especially when they need to show proof for income requirements. We welcome all people here, especially those who lived here their whole life and are in need."
Items can be donated after calling Butler at 570-544-2739. Monetary donations can be mailed to the Minersville Area Food Drive Committee, 529 Lytle St., Minersville, PA 17954.
Butler also said the committee is taking names for emergency for when the pantry is restocked. Anyone in need can also call Butler at the same number.