How to Get Food Assistance from Second Harvest Food Bank

During the height of the pandemic, Second Harvest Food Bank says food requests were at an all-time high.
Their average high was 20,000 food requests per week and now they’re back to about 13,000 per week. However, they are expecting a spike during the holiday season.
If you’re a first-timer looking for assistance, here’s what you need to know.
First, find your pantry location at mahoningvalleysecondharvest.org.
When you visit your pantry location for the first time, it’s important to bring your Photo ID and proof of your address. Which can be any sort of mail or rent receipt with your name and address on it.
Those items are used in conjunction with the self-declaration form you have to fill out, which asks for personal information. This is why they require patrons to be in person for their initial visit to their designated pantry. However, you can have someone pick up groceries on your behalf after your first visit.
"There is a form called a proxy, that allows you to name one or more people to pick up food on your behalf if you’re not feeling well or you’re just not able to go to the food bank as often, says Renee Fuller with Second Harvest Food Bank."
Most importantly, Second Harvest Food Bank wants you to know there’s no shame in asking for help.
"The embarrassment part is what breaks our hearts the most. You hear it on the phone, you see it in their faces. We don’t want anyone to feel embarrassed. Everyone needs a hand, at one time or another and that’s why we're here, says Fuller."
For food assistance, you can also text the Help Network at 8-9-8-2-1-1.