Wednesday’s Perry Emergency Mobile Food Pantry got off to a busy start shortly before 3 p.m. with a chicken free-for-all involving 1,900 boxes of free chicken donated by Tyson Food Inc.
The emergency mobile food pantry continued at 5 p.m. in the north parking lot of the Dallas County Hospital, where additional free food was distributed. Motorists were already lined up along Iowa Street at 4 p.m., awaiting the giveaway.
The waiting line for vehicles started at 10th and Iowa streets and stretched eastward along Iowa Street, crossing 12th and 15th streets.
“We are thankful for all the donations for the Emergency Mobile Food Pantries,” said DCH Marketing and Foundation Manager Macinzie McFarland. The DCH partnered with the Raccoon Valley Bank and several local businesses to sponsor the emergency mobile food pantry.
Motorists swarmed to the food-distribution points like chickens with their beaks cut off, and all the free food was soon distributed.
A second emergency mobile food pantry will be held at the Raccoon Valley Bank in Adel Thursday, May 21 at 5 p.m.
Donation sponsors include Tyson Foods Inc., Dallas County Hospital Foundation, Van Wall Equipment, Adel Partners Chamber of Commerce, Perry Fareway, Adel Fareway, Perry Hy-Vee, Minburn Communications, Progressive Foundry, Hy-Line International and Dallas County EMS.
Food and information was given out on first come-first serve basis until the supply was gone. Volunteers practiced social distancing and used CDC safety guidance with proper personal protection equipment (PPE), and attendees were asked to remain in their vehicles at all times.
