During the COVID-19 Public Health Crisis, our community has demonstrated, yet again,
how willing people are to help others.
Here is a list of all the food assistance programs that we are aware of to date:
Wayne County Emergency Food Relief Program
The county, in partnership with the Wayne County Community Foundation and the local school districts, created the Wayne County Emergency Food Relief Program (EFRP), to provide groceries to anyone of any age who is in need.
To receive food, you must call to register and make your reservation for food pick-up. The registration process is easy, and it allows coordinators to schedule your pick-up at the location nearest your home, and to ensure enough food is made available. Food will be distributed Fridays from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
To register, please call The Wayne County Aging Office at Aging Office at 570-253-4262. Once you have registered, a representative will call to tell you where and when you may pick up groceries. Please be prepared with the last four digits of the Social Security numbers and dates of birth for each member of the household.
Area Agency on Aging Meals
Take-out meals can be obtained Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the centers in Honesdale, Hawley and Hamlin. Meals will be delivered to those who are unable to come in for the take-out meals. Home delivered meals are not affected by the new protocols.
County Food Pantry System
The five food pantry sites can be found in Honesdale, Lakeville, Newfoundland, Lakewood, and Damascus. If you are interested in becoming involved with the food pantry or would like further information, please contact us at 570-253-4262. To practice social distancing, we encourage consumers to complete the form by phone rather than at the pantry. To register, applicants must have proof of physical address, such as a current utility bill. No PO boxes. In addition, applicants should know the names, dates of birth, last four digits of Social Security numbers, and income for all household members.
To ensure social distancing, each site is now operating a drive-through food distribution. Pantry consumers will remain in their cars and will not be entering the pantry buildings. If you walk to a pantry, please practice social distancing by keeping at least 6 feet of distance between people.
Wayne Highlands School District
Wayne Highlands School District will be continuing to offer the FREE Grab and Go Breakfast/Lunch Program for the remainder of the state-ordered school closure. The program is open to all children eighteen (18) and younger.
Beginning Monday, April 27, 2020 there will be a change in the schedule. Grab and Go Breakfast/Lunch will now be served on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at Damascus Area School, Honesdale High School, Preston Area School, and the Cooperage.
To accommodate the schedule change and to assure that the same number of meals are made available to each child, meals for Tuesday will be distributed at the Monday pick-up, and meals for Thursday will be distributed at the Wednesday pick-up.
Locations:
• Damascus Area School, 174 High School Road, Damascus
• Honesdale High School, 459 Terrace Street, Honesdale
• Preston Area School, 1493 Crosstown Highway, Lakewood
• The Cooperage Project, 1030 Main Street, Honesdale
GRAB AND GO LUNCH
from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
If you have any questions, contact Superintendent Gregory Frigoletto at 570-253-4661 or Food Service Director Ryne Spaulding at 570-253-6083.
Western Wayne School District
The Western Wayne School District invites families and care-givers to drive through* and pick up meals for their children.
Lunch and breakfast for the following day will be provided on a first come, first served basis. Children must be present in order for meals to be provided. Please stay in your car, and meals will be passed through based on the number of children in the car.
Pick up is available Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at:
• Evergreen Elementary Student Drop off area: 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• Robert D. Wilson Bus Loop: 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Lunches will include sandwiches, fresh vegetable and/or fruit, milk and a dessert treat. Breakfast bags will include fruit, juice, milk, cereal and assorted cereal bars.
We encourage families to continue to be proactive in reducing the risk of coronavirus by not congregating at the pick-up site once meals have been distributed, continue to wash your hands often, sneeze or cough into a tissue, and stay home if you are sick.
Contact the Western Wayne School District Food Service Department at 570-937-3085 or mliptak@westernwayne.org if you have questions about this service or if you need to make arrangements for medically necessary meal accommodations.
*Families who live in Waymart may walk to pick up their meals but are asked not to congregate at the location.
Wallenpaupack Area School District
Wallenpaupack Area School District is offering a free grab and go breakfast and lunch program FOR ALL STUDENTS, Monday, Wednesday & Friday, between 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The student(s) will need to be present for the pickup of meals.
Students can pick up breakfast and lunch at the following locations:
• Wallenpaupack High School (gym foyer – Door 25)
• Wallenpaupack South Elementary (Cafeteria – door by parking lot)
• Blooming Grove Baptist Church, 550 Route 402, Blooming Grove
• Central Fire Station, 574 Westcolang Road, Hawley.
Faith-Based Organizations
Many churches and other local faith-based organizations are also offering assistance. Visit http://waynetomorrow.com/ 298/Food-Assistance-Community-Resources for a full up to date list.
Information for this article was provided by WayneTomorrow.com, please visit their website for the most up to date information.