Massive Line: Hundreds Of Cars Line Up For Food Distribution Event In Duquesne Due To Coronavirus Pandemic
DUQUESNE, Pa. (KDKA) -- The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank prepared to serve even more families this week than they did last week because of the demand.
They prepped for 2,000 families Monday, however, they served just over 860 people, still showing how great the need really is.
Two rows of cars stretched for miles all the way out to Route 837 in Duquesne. Police were out directing traffic.
The people inside those cars waited for hours so they could have enough food to get through another week of unknown. One of those people was Daniel Laughlin. He had been waiting in line since 9 a.m. The food drive started at noon.
"Very important. When you only collect social security, it's already gone," said Clairton resident Daniel Laughlin.
He's not the only one struggling to get by.
"The way things are going now, with everybody out of work, it's a necessity for me because I have five people in my house plus two dogs," said East McKeesport resident Bob Murphy.
This week, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank added fresh produce to its supply and on top of that, a box of frozen food and a box of dry food. Every family was able to get one of each.
"We've gotten lots of inquiries over the weekend so we wanted to make sure we had enough to serve everybody that's coming here today," said Charlese McKinney with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
Seventeen members from the National Guard were there to help pack boxes and volunteers gave up their time to help those in need.
"It is overwhelming but it's also something that we take pride in because we have so much support from the community it just keeps up going and being able to do what we do well just on a larger scale," said McKinney.
Anyone in need could get food, no questions asked. The food bank plans on doing it for as long as they need to.
"It's a dire situation for a lot of people. We just gotta stay ahead of it, stay calms and do what the doctor says," said Murphy.
The turnout for the food drive was a little more this week compared to last week. 809 people were served last Monday.
The food bank plans on doing the food drive in Duquesne every Monday from Noon until 3 for as long as they need to.
For more information, you can visit the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank's website.
