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A New Resource to Fight Hunger

JENKINS TOWNSHIP — With the cut of a ribbon a new facility designed to combat hunger officially opened in Luzerne county. “We’re going to try ...

JENKINS TOWNSHIP -- With the cut of a ribbon a new facility designed to combat hunger officially opened in Luzerne county.

"We're going to try real hard, try to eliminate situations where children go to bed hungry...Where seniors don't have adequate food.  We hope this will help take care of that," said Gene Brady, the executive director of the Commission on Economic Opportunity.

The  Center for Healthy Living near Pittston  was named after an area religious leader, Monsignor Andrew J. McGowan. He was a priest with the Diocese of Scranton who was dedicated to combating hunger.

"Hunger is one of the silent problems in our area.  You don't know if someone is hungry and by bringing awareness to it, it brings light to the problem...And addresses that no child, no person goes hungry," said Leo McGowan, Monsignor McGowan's nephew.

This food bank is expected to open new doors to the amount of healthy food that is distributed throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania and help eliminate hunger one plate at a time.

"We are going to increase the amount of produce because we have coolers and freezers as you can see and healthier foods and serve people in a way that will really make positive health impacts," said Brady.

The 50,000 square foot multi-million dollar facility will serve hundreds food pantries and kitchens throughout Luzerne, Lackawanna, Susquehanna and Wyoming counties. It's an area where more than 23% of children face hunger.

"It's an indication that there is a need that many people do not have enough food to live a healthy existence," said Sister Lucille Brislin of Mercy Services.

The food bank hopes to keep the plates of those in need full with donations from across the state and the nation.

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