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Community Corner

McMurray Rotary Club Devises Strategy to Boost Food Pantry Donations

The MRC plans to promote food pantry donations with newly-purchased donation bins in businesses.

Fulfilling one of its many devotions toward humanitarian service, the McMurray Rotary Club (MRC) has recently increased its assistance with the Peters Township Food Pantry operation, an effort to supply food for malnourished and low-income families to reinvigorate community generosity.

Solely based at Peace Lutheran Church off Route 19, the food pantry has been accepting donations for over a decade, however, MRC’s heightened involvement will create multiple donation locations in establishments throughout the Peters area, serving as a stepping stone for community involvement.

MRC’s Community Service Director Al DeLucia, Jr., and Insurance Consultant in Washington, Pa., recognized the food pantry’s promotional needs and helped devise a strategy to boost donations.

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“The local food pantry can always use more help,” said DeLucia, who has fervently spread word of the MRC’s food pantry undertaking.

“One of our biggest challenges is getting the word out,” said DeLucia. “But once we do, we know people will respond, especially toward this project.”

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Although Rotary Club members reside in nearly every community stretching across the world, many citizens remain unaware of the group's beneficial endeavors within their residency.

“We need to let the community know what we’re doing,” said DeLucia, who believes many Peters residents are only faintly aware of the club’s local efforts.

While the MRC has financially supported the Peters Township Food Pantry in the past, DeLucia and fellow Rotarians decided to intervene with increased commitment.

“We wanted to get directly involved with the food pantry‘s service,” said DeLucia. “The need for a food pantry will never go away and we wanted to talk about how we become more involved in a hands-on basis.”

DeLucia and fellow MRC members have purchased numerous bins designated for food pantry donations and plan to place them in 10 to 12 business throughout Peters, with each bin identified by an MRC sticker.

With nearly 50 MRC members, including many business owners community, the food pantry’s networking efforts have caught the community’s attention, with many members, and non-members, promoting the generous pursuit.

“We are starting to build a network of members, as well as non-members who have supported us in the past,” said DeLucia, regarding the food pantry’s publicity.

“There are a number of people who have said they’d like to have one [a donation bin] in their business.”

Although donations throughout the community have yet to commence, local businesses are eager to encourage donations, according to DeLucia.

Businesses already interested are Signal Graphics, Keystone Rehabilitation Center and Al DeLucia’s insurance firm, DeLucia and DeZomba, in Washington, Pa.

With food pantry locations already secured throughout the area, DeLucia believes that the Peters community will graciously receive the MRC’s initiative.

“People are extremely generous and giving within their community,” said DeLucia. “Our service is so valuable to those we help and people will realize that and want to help.”

If interested in contributing towards the MRC’s food pantry project or learning more about various projects throughout the Peters community, visit here.

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