Eastside Community Ministry produce market giveaway

SOUTH ZANESVILLE, Ohio- Hundreds of families were able fill their fridges today thanks to a produce giveaway at First Baptist Church in South Zanesville.

Eastside Community Ministry partnered with the Mid-Ohio Foodbank to host the giveaway. Event Coordinator Linda Hollingsworth said there are a lot of people in the area that do not have access to food. She said around 200 families were expected to receive food at the market today.

“We’re giving them healthy food. That’s one of the goals of Mid-Ohio Foodbank is to provide healthy, nutritious foods to keep people in better health,” said Hollingsworth. “We get about ten thousand pounds of fresh produce and baked goods, eggs, cheese…yogurt, all types of things.”

Each family receives a cart that they fill up with the food as they work their way down the line. Hollingsworth said it takes several volunteers to help get everything ready.

“I feel really great that we’re able to come out here and do this for the community. We help people get their groceries to the car and, you know, just make things run smoothly,” said Desiree Jones a Zane State College criminal justice student who volunteers at the market. “And it’s just really great to know that.”

The next produce market will be April 27th. Eastside has been doing the produce market giveaway since 2012.