42,000 pounds of food collected for pantries
CAROL ZICKLER/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS Spearheading the collection of food donated from Allentown is Bertha Shreffler, left, of Meed's United Methodist Church of Nesquehoning. The food was donated by Kehe Foods Warehouse in Allentown operated by OHL, a third party logistics company (3PL). Other helpers are, front, Ruth Wildoner, Tammy Zetelski and the Rev. Ed "Pal" Whitehead, pastor of United Methodist Church, Jeansville-Audenreid. Back row are John Kovatch IV, who donated the truck from Kovatch Corporation from Thursday until Tuesday; the Rev. Mike Netznik, pastor of Meed's Methodist Church; the Rev. Bill Ritzenhaler of Slatington; and Nelson Randolph, missionary.
When Bertha Shreffler's son Ike told her about the food supply that could be donated to the Nesquehoning Food Pantry and many other places, she needed a truck to pick up the food at Kehe Foods Warehouse, where Ike works.
She approached John Kovatch IV for use of a truck to pick up the food and of course the need for a driver. John immediately answered "yes" and on Thursday, Jeff Yeakel, driver, drove a truck to Allentown to pick up the 42,000 pounds of food.
Food pantries throughout the area and Allentown received food, water, diapers, baby food, and much more to feed the hungry in their food pantry. Another large donation of pizza kits and more food came from another anonymous company.
Arriving back in Nesquehoning and parked at Kovatch's property, the representatives of the pantries and churches flocked to Nesquehoning to pick up the food.
The volunteers worked for many hours, during freezing temperatures, helping the people load food onto their trucks for distribution at their respective locations. The Rev. Mike Netznik said he appreciated what the food company and Kovatch's did for this cause and thanked God for his guidance.
Some of the goods will be distributed to the less fortunate in the south by Nelson Randolph, missionary.
Shreffler said overwhelmingly, "Food is available every month if we would have a truck and driver to pick it up."
