Thanks to USDA’s Farmers to Families Food Box program and the volunteers at Pleasant Valley Assembly of God, families faced with stretching their food budget to the limit can now breathe a little easier.

“When the church found out about the Farmers to Families Food Box program, we knew it was something we could do to help people in the community,” said Olga Schillinger, church administrator and church member.

The church already serves free drive-thru dinners every Monday night to anyone who wants or needs a meal, so getting involved in the Farmers to Families Food Box program was one more way the church could help the community.

Since the spring, every Thursday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. the volunteers joyfully greet everyone who comes through the food drive-thru as they load the food in every car.

Even their pastor, Scott Carver, takes time out of his busy schedule to greet everyone and help load the food boxes.

“Everyone gets two boxes of food. One box has dairy, including a gallon of milk, and meat products. The other box is filled with fruits and vegetables,” Schillinger said.

When the church first started the food drive-thru, volunteers had to go pick up the 400 boxes they received for distribution on Thursdays.

Now Sysco has partnered with the program and it delivers to the church around 9 a.m. on Thursdays, Shillinger said. Volunteers stack the 400 boxes and get ready for the people.

The next two Farmers to Families drive-thru dates are this Thursday and Oct. 29, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The church is located at 1086 Weir Lake Road in Brodheadsville. If you have any questions, call the church administrator, Olga Schillinger, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Thursday at 570-992-6799.