PKL Cares Food Pantry holds ribbon cutting, first food distribution

by Manuela Kress

AuSABLE Twp. – Friends, family and volunteers gathered on Saturday morning, July 27 for a ribbon cutting at the PKL Cares Food Pantry located at 761 South State Street.

Executive Director Pam Loveless turned over the honor of cutting the ribbon to her husband, Keith, who struggled to cut through it with the dull giant scissors. After a couple of attempts, his success was met with cheers from those in attendance.

The ribbon cutting was hosted by the Oscoda AuSable Chamber of Commerce. Director Palma Leonatti held one end of the ribbon and food pantry volunteer Jeff Linderman held the other end.

Beverly Swanson-Powell, Loveless’ sister, flew in from Sacramento, Calif. to help. Develop Iosco Executive Director Chris Martin attended and helped out with the food distribution. Numerous local residents also came out to help.

Cars started lining up behind PKL Cares at 8:30 a.m. to participate in the first food distribution that ran from 10 a.m. to noon. Fifty local families received two boxes filled with food.

The box with fresh and frozen foods contained eggs, cheese, pulled pork, hotdogs, and bologna. Fresh fruits and vegetables, purchased from local farmers included watermelon, cantaloupe, corn on the cob, apples and berries.

A second box included pantry staples of peanut butter, spaghetti sauce, apple juice, pasta, cooking oil, baking mix, and rice. A grant from the Walmart store in Tawas City supported the food distribution.

Loveless greeted each family as volunteers filled boxes and delivered them to cars.

The August food distribution will take place on the third Saturday of the month, Aug. 17. Food is distributed on a first come, first served basis.