EASTON, Pa. — A food giveaway at Centennial Park had all 125 boxes reserved for those in need even before distribution began late Friday afternoon.
Hosted by ASPIRE to Autonomy Inc., the food distribution in the West Ward park saw hefty lines even before the 4 p.m. start time.
Volunteers had to advise curious walk-ins to return after the 7 p.m. shutdown to see if any boxes remain unclaimed.
‘We've done this every year since COVID started, and so we see the need, and this, even with people pre-registered, it's even worse, because normally we're able to bring the people from the community,” said ASPIRE to Autonomy co-founder and CEO Darnell Davis.
“And so it's really, really needed, especially in food deserts like this.”
Davis’s Allentown-based nonprofit agency offers a mental health clinic to assist victims of sex trafficking – the only such operation in the Lehigh Valley – in addition to programs like the food giveaway, which was accessible to anyone and administered through ASPIRE's community intervention services.
ASPIRE’s Wellness Hub was also on-site to provide connections to vital resources for housing, mental health and other support.
“They’re so grateful. One woman came up and cried."Frank Pintabone, Easton councilman
According to Davis, the 40-pound boxes contained plenty of pantry staples, in addition to some snacks for kids.
And it’s a much-needed offer for many families throughout Easton, as families struggle in the current economic climate with the holidays looming right around the corner, he said.
“I was actually thrilled. I have kids at home, so it’ll help a lot,” said Lisa Gatton, who stopped by to pick up a box, adding without programs like this, it would be “very, very hard to get by, especially at this time.”
Friday’s distribution was the first of four planned events in Easton, made possible by a grant from the Easton Rotary and a separate matching grant.
Easton City Councilman Frank Pintabone, who volunteered at the event, said the response from the community was incredible.
“They’re so grateful. One woman came up and cried. She came over and she thanked me, and I told her, ‘No, thank Darnell.’ She cried to Darnell,” Pintabone said.
In addition to the food and services offered by ASPIRE, former A to Z Market owner Abe Awwad brought over boxes of hats and gloves to help folks through the winter.
“This community gave me so much, so one hand washes the other,” Awwad said.
As individuals and families continue to struggle with access to food and basic supplies, Easton has stepped up substantially: ASPIRE is set to host a special Thanksgiving dinner soon, Pintabone will host his annual turkey giveaway Nov. 22, and last weekend, Aman’s Artisan Indian Cuisine doled out 100 free meals.
According to Davis, it’s just a sign that Easton, as a community, does everything it can to look out for those in need.
“We’re just here trying to help make it make a difference, a little bit at a time, during these crazy time periods,” Davis said.
