In Lackawanna County in northeastern Pennsylvania, nearly 30,000 people deal with food insecurity, with rates of poverty around 13% in the region. Bread Basket of NEPA is working to address the needs of the community with a variety of pantries providing groceries and more.
We spoke with Rosemary Bohenek, President of the organization, about how the group is serving those with food insecurity, as well as its current needs and goals.
Junior League of Scranton for Bread Basket of NEPA
PA Eats: Can you give us some background on the organization?
Rosemary Bohenek: It was established in 1984 as a 501C3, non-profit. The need was seen throughout Lackawanna County of food insecurity. A few churches got together and established Bread Basket. We’re an interfaith organization, so we’re primarily in churches.
How does the food distribution play out?
We have a couple of different sources of food. One is CEO Weinberg and we also purchase our own food from Sam’s Club, though we try to limit how much we purchase. CEO Weinberg has non-perishables as well as fresh food. It’s part of The Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Foundation’s Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank. They service charitable organizations.
We have distribution inside of each church. There’s storage areas for the food. So we house the food at the pantries.
People take groceries home. Throughout the seven pantries, we’re open one day a week at six of them, and one (Embury United Methodist Church) is open the third Saturday of every month.
We have regulars that come every week, and then we have new clients who are always welcome. All that’s required to receive food is something with your home address on it. We don’t even require an ID – just something with your name and your home address.
We noticed you have a delivery component?
We utilize DoorDash to deliver to our clients. We’re looking to get a truck to do delivery on our own with volunteers. We’re looking for a funder for a vehicle. Hopefully we’ll find someone to match a grant from All One Charities, which is $10,000 towards a truck. We’re looking to match that donation or outright get a truck donated Then we’d be independent for deliveries.
What other programming do you have?
We try to do an event once a year. We’re limited as far as volunteers, so it’s been me planning events, which has been a lot. We had a cornhole tournament in 2023. In 2024 we had the Bread Basket Bolt, which we’re hoping to continue again this year, in May.
Elm Park Methodist Church
At our Elm Park pantry in Scranton, CEO Weinberg has been doing cooking demonstrations at the pantry. They pass out literature about nutritional eating and then do a food demonstration.
What’s unique about Bread Basket of NEPA as an organization in the food insecurity space?
Three things that set us apart are our DoorDash delivery system, our Spanish-speaking pantry, Heaven’s Door Church of God in south Scranton, and Valhalla Veterans Pantry in Scranton.
What we’ve tried to do is reach the fragile part of our community that has food insecurity by reaching the Spanish-speaking population, veterans and those without transportation. I think that’s what sets us apart.
In what areas do you get positive feedback?
Definitely our 5k/10k/1 mile event. The Bread Basket Bolt was well received by the community. We were supported by donations from local businesses. We got a lot of positive feedback from people on that.
We also get positive feedback on the delivery system that we do, because people who cannot get out to the pantries are so grateful for us delivering the food to them.
What are the Bread Basket of NEPA’s hopes for the future, beyond acquiring a delivery truck?
We’re definitely seeking more volunteers. I’m sure everyone is. People who want to volunteer can visit our website. They can look at the seven different locations for days and times. Usually, volunteers pack the bags ahead of the pantry pick-up, so the volunteer commitment is two hours beforehand.
We love for the regular volunteers to sign on, but we’ll take whatever help people have to offer. We’re so grateful to our volunteers, they truly make the organization happen.
A food drive by Emanuel Lutheran Church Youth Group
Are there any other ways people can help, besides volunteering at the pantries?
We would love for more people to do food drives to benefit the pantries. What people can do in their community is have a dress down day at work or school. Food drives are a huge need.
Learn more how to volunteer with Bread Basket of NEPA on its website, where you’ll also find information on its seven locations. Follow along on it’s Facebook page and stay tuned to all the happenings. The main distribution center is located at 550 Madison Ave., Scranton; phone: (570) 343-2324.
- Photos: Bread Basket of NEPA
