Hundreds line up early for 3rd annual Goodness Invasion at Covelli

YOUNGSTOWN

The economy may be turning around, but many Mahoning Valley residents apparently are still hurting.

That might explain why hundreds lined up in the parking lot of the Covelli Centre hours in advance of the start of the Third Annual “Goodness Invasion” food giveaway sponsored by the New Life Church of Poland on today.

“It means a great deal to us because without it, we wouldn’t have very much,” said one of the recipients, Dawn Towner, 44, of Pulaski, Pa., the guardian of a 14-year old girl. “This will really help us out over the next few days.”

Juan Rivera, 37, church pastor, said New Life expected to provide food for 3,000 area families by the time the five-hour giveaway concluded Saturday afternoon.

Read more about the event in Sunday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.