As holiday and Christmas music played, and American Rescue Workers staff and volunteers for the event danced to the sounds of Mariah Carey, and classics from Bing Crosby and Dean Martin, droves of vehicles were lined up outside of the American Rescue Workers building at 643 Elmira St., where, in 45- degree temperatures, they were handed all of the makings for their annual holiday meal.

Ham, turkey, potatoes, bread, eggs – and other dry goods and produce – and it was free with no registration required.

Those at the distribution were in a particularly joyful mood, as the blue sky replaced the rain and wind earlier in the day.

Motorists were backed up on Memorial Avenue, and out to Hepburn Street, as they made their way to the distribution points, where the staff and volunteers handed out boxes of food, and hams and turkeys. This started at 10 a.m. and was scheduled to go through 4 p.m., while the supplies lasted. Emergency personnel and Bureau of Fire kept traffic control and ensured safe passage.

After getting boxes of food a car pulls away after sitting in line during the annual American Rescue Workers Holiday Food Distribution Friday morning. The annual event saw hundreds of cars lined up around several blocks in downtown Williamsport to collect food. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

The expectation was for the organization to distribute 800 meals to community residents, but there were those who thought there would be more need based on the turnout.

“We are really blessed to have the weather that we have compared to last year,” said Ben Hazen, ARW executive director, who has come on board after serving for 20 years at Community Baptist Church in Montoursville.

Last year’s conditions included a near blizzard with bitter-cold wind, he said he was told.

When asked about the holiday meal distribution this year, and what it means to the city and community, especially after the upheaval caused from the federal government shutdown and state government budget impasse, Hazen did not hesitate, and did so with a big grin.

“Especially this time of the year, everybody is looking for a little pick-me-up, a little help, and we know that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) got turned back on but there are still people who are hurting,” he said.

Dozens of volunteers help load boxes of food into waiting cars during the annual American Rescue Workers Holiday Food Distribution Friday morning. The annual event saw hundreds of cars lined up around several blocks in downtown Williamsport to collect food. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“We are very grateful to be able to do this for the community and to help those in need,” Hazen said.

“It’s warm, the sun has come out, so we are super excited,” said Tara Davis, chief programs officer with the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, a partner with the ARW in the meal distribution.

“We’re thrilled to be here,” she added.

“It’s our annual holiday meal distribution that we do in partnership with the American Rescue Workers, so we couldn’t be more happier to be here today to be able to serve these households a holiday meal,” Davis said.

“We’ve been able to provide turkeys, hams, produce, some dry goods – so it’s a really great day,” she said.

Dozens of volunteers help load boxes of food into waiting cars during the annual American Rescue Workers Holiday Food Distribution Friday morning. The annual event saw hundreds of cars lined up around several blocks in downtown Williamsport to collect food. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

A lot of the companies, private donors, foundations pulled together and supported the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank during the time of immediate crises.

“The need was intense,” Davis said of food insecurity and the food pantries running short on supplies about a month or two ago.

“Many places saw a 40 % increase, other places saw a 100 % increase,” she said.

But with support of private donations and companies, the food bank was able to bring more food to neighbors and support those folks who were going through those difficulties.

Need for combating food insecurity remains strong going into winter

Hundreds of cars wait during the annual American Rescue Workers Holiday Food Distribution Friday morning. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

The annual holiday meal distribution served as not just a nice community service, backed by generous corporate sponsors and dedicated volunteers and staff, but because of the turnout, it is clearly a measure to the times at hand, especially for those who feed the hungry on a daily basis.

“I was just talking about this is more of a quiet crisis that we are talking about now,” Davis said, continuing with her thought: “Because there is an increase in grocery prices, increase in electric and utilities – so all of those things are still taking a toll on our neighbors who have been trying to kind of get lifted up out of the situation they are in . . . it takes a while and sometimes it just does not happen overnight.”

Davis said she did not think the general public realizes the increase and toll that all of those increases can have on one family who is living paycheck-to-paycheck.

Dawn Astin said it would be her last time in the annual distribution as a staff member of the ARW but her heart was filled with happiness as she made sure the food boxes were getting out to those in vehicles and those who walked up with just a metal cart.

“It is joyful and sad,” Astin said, reflecting a little on her 46 years with the organization.

Dozens of volunteers help load boxes of food into waiting cars during the annual American Rescue Workers Holiday Food Distribution Friday morning. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Astin also echoed what Davis said about the crisis today, evidenced by the turnout and the need to continue to chip away at what remains a continued food insecurity problem, and give a little extra boost for those who could use it.

Many are in a place, financially and otherwise, where they must choose between buying food or paying for their utility bill or medication, Astin said.

ARW helps with that food need and for those individuals and families it helps because the kids expect certain things at Christmas, she added, and maybe providing the meal can offset the cost of a toy or gift.

Astin pointed toward a tent listing the amazing corporate and community sponsors of the event and thanked the many volunteers who were getting a true workout lifting the boxes, slugging the hams and turkeys and picking up and stacking the wooden pallets once the supplies were cleared.

“Merry Christmas,” declared Mayor Derek Slaughter, who was at the distribution handing out the turkeys and hams. “This holiday season is a time to reflect on those in need and remember that generosity and kindness go a long way – especially when we give back to our community and support one another. Thank you to the American Rescue Workers, Central PA Food Bank, and the volunteers for helping to make the holidays a bit brighter for so many families,” Slaughter said.

Hannah Sciacca, who has been with the ARW for 18 months, came outside after preparing potato soup, lasagna soup and sandwiches. It was an intense activity and safe, too, as emergency medical personnel were on the scene as was the Bureau of Fire to ensure traffic control and ease of flow up to the distribution points.

The American Rescue Worker annual holiday meal distribution has a “phenomenal impact,” said state Rep. Jamie Flick, R-South Williamsport, who also represents Lycoming and part of Union counties in the 83rd House District. “This truly is the Christmas spirit – neighbor helping neighbor,” said Flick, who also took part in the food distribution, as did his staff, handing out food or greeting those who were rolling down their window or opening their doors or trunks.

State Rep. Joe Hamm, R-Hepburn Township, representing Lycoming and part of Sullivan counties in the 84th House District, also was on hand for the distribution as was his staff.

For those without vehicles or transportation, a few people could be seen walking up to the distribution points pulling or pushing a wheeled cart up the hill to the distribution sites. The volunteers made sure their carts were filled with the boxes and the turkeys and hams.