- Last Updated on Wednesday, 29 August 2018 00:57
By Jill Runfola
A white truck from the Salvation Army began arriving in Monessen on July 9, and continued through August 22 providing free home-cooked dinners for local kids of all ages throughout the summer. This effort is part of the Monessen Mobile Meals Food Truck Program.
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| Captain Sue Thwaite (driving) is pictured here with two 7-year old “helpers,” Alex Schubert (far left) and Jackson Klingensmith (center). |
“We are serving between 120 and 180 hot dinners per night,” said Captain Sue Thwaite. “And each child receives a breakfast for the next morning as part of the program.”
Thwaite says the Salvation Army food program is funded in part through a grant they received from United Health Care and donations from the community. In addition to using volunteers, the Salvation Army has contracted with the Private Industry Council summer youth employment program to put area youths to work for them. “I am Serve Safe Certified,” said Thwaite, “and our volunteers (PIC workers) have taken Cooking for Crowds training.”
Providing nourishing food for local children is the ultimate goal, and nothing can match the joy in their faces as they reach for their meals. For more information about the Monessen Salvation Army or to make a donation, visit their Facebook page online, or call 724-684-4282.
