Mobile food pantry serves fresh groceries to families in need

Joseph Smith walks down a road with a basket of food that was handed out by the Food Bank of the Southern Tier Mobile Food Pantry on June 19 in Deposit, N.Y.

Deposit, N.Y. at the Southern Tier of New York borders Pennsylvania and is predominately rural. It has been struggling for decades with both high unemployment and chronic levels of poverty. The area was once a manufacturing base for major American companies.

Once a manufacturing base for U.S. companies, the Southern Tier of New York covers nearly 4,000 predominately rural miles, and according to the 2010 Census, 15.72% the population live at or below the federal poverty level.

To help families in need, the mobile food pantry was introduced by the Food Bank of the Southern Tier in 2007. A converted beverage truck delivers fresh produce, dairy products, and other grocery items to more than 100 families in a two-hour distribution period.

People line-up with boxes and baskets for food at a distribution point by the Food Bank of the Southern Tier Mobile Food Pantry on June 19 in Deposit, N.Y.

People recieve food at a distribution point that was handed out by the Food Bank of the Southern Tier Mobile Food Pantry.

Dominick Aldridga, 8, stands with members of his family at a distribution point by the Food Bank of the Southern Tier Mobile Food Pantry.People line-up to receive food at a distribution point that was handed out by the Food Bank of the Southern Tier Mobile Food Pantry on June 19.