This spring AGAPE will be launching a new program in the form of a mobile food pantry, which will launch in three communities in and around Warren County.

AGAPE Executive Director Michelle Bernth said the organization received a grant that allowed them to purchase a refrigerated van to store food in for the purpose of distributing it to area communities.

Bernth said one of the reasons for instituting the mobile food pantry is that the organization is aware there are those people in the community that have difficulty accessing AGAPE’s food pantry on Legion Trail Drive.

“We wanted to be able to provide a solution to that known issue,” Bernth said. “The mobile food pantry will help people access the food they need. At AGAPE we are focused on meeting community needs. Staying abreast of what emerging needs are. While we are large, we are nimble enough to stay incredibly flexible as we roll things out. This program was born out of an outreach from the community about this need.”

Bernth said that the program will initially launch in three communities, with Jonesburg being the first community to come on board to be a part of the initiative. She said AGAPE is still working to establish partnerships with local entities in two other communities.

Bernth explained that the program is anticipated to start in the spring and will consist of a specific time each month in the respective communities where food is distributed to those in need can be made.

She said the mobile food pantry will consist of the same types of food items available at AGAPE’s brick and mortar pantry, but will consist of prepackaged items as opposed to the standard choice options available at the standard pantry. She said the food items will consist of a combination of refrigerated items and shelf-stable food.

Bernth said the program is still in its final planning phases as there are still some capacity needs to meet in order to get the program off the ground. Bernth also noted there was also some work to complete to get the van ready for use by the organization.

One need is a significant amount of additional food resources. AGAPE also needs a number of supplies to make the mobile food pantry work, including boxes and bags for the prepackaged food. She also said that the organization is looking for 30 to 40 additional volunteers to do tasks like pack boxes, help organize and assist with distribution.

“We expect the first couple of months to be slower and smaller,” she said. “But as word gets out we expect that it will pick up.”