The Mercer County Food Bank and Grace Chapel Community Church will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday to open an emergency food pantry in Hermitage.

The event begins at 2 p.m. at the church, located at 4075 Lamor Road. This new facility is designed to provide immediate, short-term relief for residents who cannot wait for their next scheduled visit to a traditional food pantry.

Organizers said the pantry will offer shelf-stable goods, fresh produce, and meat to help individuals until they can connect with long-term assistance programs. The site will operate weekly, though hours will vary.

Rebecca Page, executive director of the Mercer County Food Bank, said the partnership with the church allows the organization to reach people with urgent needs.

Grace Chapel Lead Pastor Aaron Lego said the church is prepared to help fill gaps in the local social service network. He noted that the project follows a long period of planning and logistics.

The Mercer County Food Bank is a member of the Feeding America network. The organization distributed 3 million pounds of food to residents in 2025 through dozens of partner agencies and distribution programs.

Residents who need to access the new emergency services are encouraged to contact the food bank to confirm current hours and availability.