Produce to People gets electronic pass cards
On Thursday, the lines were as long as ever at the Greene County Fairgrounds as more than 600 families and individuals gathered to get fresh food at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank’s monthly Produce to People distribution day.
But this morning, there was something new – two lines that formed as food bank volunteers moved outside to spread the word – those with the new Pass Cards could enter on the left, have their card electronically scanned by food bank worker Conner Sites-Bowen and be on their way to pick up their boxes of fresh produce in record time.
“That gentleman there has probably spent a total of 10 minutes from the time he parked his car until he walked out of here,” Sites-Bowen said, gesturing to a man as he pushed his cart out the door, laden with potatoes, cabbage, blueberries, celery and strawberries.
“We use this card at all of our sites in Allegheny County and 85 to 90 percent of the people choose to use them. It really shortens the time spent in line. To get a card, you need to bring something that has a current household address on it – a utility bill, rent receipt or a driver’s license less than three months old,” Sites-Bowen said.
Those without a card stood in the other, slower line waiting to sign in at tables manned by volunteers who asked them their name, family size and verbal proof of income. Here also was a table where those with proper identification signed up for the pass card that would be ready to use in April.
Produce to People is a monthly free-food program for income-eligible households. Program coordinator Sister Audrey Quinn, who is also director of Salvation Army’s Greene County Service Center, 131 W. First St. Waynesburg, can sign up new cardholders when the center is open week days. Call 724-852-1479 for more information.