Spitzer helps pantry transport food

Staff report

NORTH JACKSON

Spitzer Chevrolet here has teamed up with First Federated Church and Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley to fight hunger.

The first food “pickup” in a pickup truck provided by Spitzer for the church will be Thursday.

Tom Repula, chairman of the committee that runs the church food pantry said, “Since we have become affiliated with Second Harvest, we have been able to stock much more food, over 1,000 pounds per trip, but the challenge has been getting it here.”

Jill Duffy, church-council president, mentioned to her co-worker, Bill James, the challenge of always having a member with a pickup truck.

“Bill is our advertising account representative for Spitzer, and he told me he would get me the info on who to talk to at Spitzer’s. Instead, he set the whole thing up,” Duffy said.

“We were very excited to do what we do best, and that is provide a service that people need,” said Barry Gonis, North Jackson Spitzer Chevy general manager. “To pick up and transport the food a couple of times a month that will feed hundreds of people is an important way for us to make a difference.”

Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard food pantry is located at First Federated Church, 10786 Mahoning Ave., North Jackson, across the street from Spitzer. The pantry is open the second and fourth Saturday each month.