Gleaner's Mobile Food Pantry to be back
475 families receive help

WANDA ENGLISH BURNETT PHOTO Nearly 19,000 pounds of food was distributed to 475 needy families in Ripley County on Thursday last week. Gleaner's Mobile Food Pantry from Indianapolis made the food giveaway a reality with Bill Warren and his group from the Ripley County Food Pantry making the connection. People lined up early on Thursday with the line being continuous until all the food was gone.

Wanda English Burnett
Editor

Ripley County families had a little boost last week as Gleaner’s Mobile Food Pantry of Indianapolis rolled into town with two big trucks full of food.

The food was given free of charge and according to Bill Warren, who runs the food pantry at Osgood, was free to all those receiving it.

Warren said 475 families were helped with a big box of groceries that will help stretch their food dollars. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” he told the Osgood Journal.

People started lining up much earlier than the announced time and the line continued until all the food - nearly 19,000 pounds - was gone.

While the food was free, it did take lots of “leg work” to get it here. Warren has worked tirelessly to help the people of Ripley County get food. He applies for every grant he can, researches every place that is an avenue to receive free or reduced food that he can then give to others.

Warren gave praise to the many volunteers who help with the food events each month and to those who came last Thursday, June 2 to help pass out food. “I have many helpers. They are the ones that make it go,” he said.

Harold and Helen Ellinghausen are regular helpers at the food pantry and were on hand for the big food giveaway last week. He said he was thankful so many people could be helped.

The next big food giveaway will be held at the Batesville Primary School on June 10 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the west parking lot. People are asked to bring boxes and bags to carry the food home.

According to Anne Baran of the Batesville Food Pantry, people are welcome to come to the giveaway even if they have already visited the Batesville pantry or other area mobile food pantries already this month. Proxies will be accepted.

The Gleaner’s Mobile Food Pantry will be back in Osgood on Thursday, June 30 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the pantry location.