Free food will be distributed March 31 in Fort Mill

Residents in need won’t go hungry, thanks to local churches and volunteers.

The Catawba Area Agency on Aging is partnering with area churches and Second Harvest Food Bank on March 31 at Unity Presbyterian Church in Fort Mill to distribute groceries to local families, said Joy Ayers, program specialist for the caregiver advocate with the agency.

“It’s a way to give back to the community,” she said.

The agency, which serves Chester, Lancaster, Union and York Counties, hosts two food distribution events each month, involving local churches to pass out food donated from Second Harvest Food Bank, Ayers said.

Each person will receive two bags of groceries with items such as canned goods, meat, vegetables and nonperishable items, she said. The items vary based on what is available from Second Harvest.

Recipients must meet USDA Eligibility Requirements and the Catawba Area Agency on Aging will be on site to handle the application process and screen residents for food stamps and other local resources they may be eligible for, Ayers said. She said many times people eligible for food stamps do not get enough to cover the whole month – a gap the food drive helps fill.

“It gives them the break they need,” Ayers said. “It’s lending a helping hand.”

Unity Presbyterian is working with Jerusalem Baptist for the food drive.

Ayers said they anticipate more than 200 people coming for food and 20 to 30 volunteers. She said those that want to help the effort should volunteer their time or donate food to Second Harvest.

“If it weren’t for the volunteers and us coming together, it wouldn’t be able to happen,” Ayers said. “It lets the community know, as well, that there is help and these churches come together to be able to provide this service.”

This story was originally published March 11, 2016 at 12:29 PM with the headline "Free food will be distributed March 31 in Fort Mill."