By MARGUERITE

LANTHIER

Staff Writer

KINGSFORD — During the second Wednesday of the month in the summer, Lodal Park will be closed to regular motorized traffic from 6:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for the Feeding America West Michigan Mobile Food Pantry.

The first date is Wednesday. Other dates include July 10 and Aug. 14. The food pantry will use the park through the summer and will return to the Tri-City Cinema in Quinnesec in September.

In a press release, organizers noted that Lodal Park has horseshoe-shaped drive, with only one entrance and one exit. Customers in vehicles will use the regular entrance. Volunteers’ vehicles will enter via the exit. Walk-in customers should also come in through the exit, as should taxicabs dropping off customers.

Organizers of the program asked that the park be shut down during the preparation and distribution times to help alleviate extra traffic and make it easier to set up and organize.

Anda Tavonatti made the request to have the park closed to vehicles at a city council meeting, noting that there are about 20-30 volunteers’ vehicles and a semi-truck and there can be 200-plus cars seeking food assistance. “It can be problematic for people driving in,” she noted.

The city investigated whether there were any sporting events planned during that time before agreeing to the closure. People walking in or on bikes are welcome to use the park.

Mobile food pantries provide free supplemental food to households experiencing food insecurity. A household is eligible if it already receives some form of government food assistance, meets federal low-income guidelines, or is simply in need or emergency food, the press release said.

One vehicle may pick-up groceries for up to three households, but only if someone from an additional household is either in the vehicle, or has given the driver a signed note that contains name, address, information about household size and make-up, and the reason for eligibility. Groceries will not be provided for households that have not provided a signed note. Proof of identity, residency or eligibility is not required.

Customers should have in their vehicles boxes, laundry baskets or totes where volunteers can place the food.

Questions about the FAWM Mobile Food Pantry or about volunteering should be directed to Tavonatti at 906-239-6778, not to the City of Kingsford.

Marguerite Lanthier can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 242, or mlanthier@ironmountaindailynews.com.