West Muskingum HS produce giveaway on Saturday

ZANESVILLE, Ohio — West Muskingum High School is holding their monthly produce giveaway on Saturday, June 3rd, at the school.

One-year ago West Muskingum began a partnership with the Mid-Ohio Food Bank to help families fight hunger by providing them with free produce. The idea began when a family in dire need approached them about their struggles.

“Registration will start around 9:30 a.m., and we’ll give food away shortly before 11:00. It’s open to anybody in need of food. They need to bring a picture I.D. and come up and we’ll get them help with some nice fresh produce, and hopefully some dairy products and bread products tomorrow,” explained Conrad Wilkins, the Site Director for the West Muskingum Feeds program.

One student, Riley Padar, began volunteering at the giveaways and said she helps the individuals that show up — and talks about the overall impact the program has had in just one year.

“I’ve volunteered at, so far, three and I usually do the carts where I walk through with the people and they get their produce and then I help them with their car and then they leave. So far they’ve served 4,264 people. The homes they’ve served 1,438 and then over 126,000 lbs. of food,” said Riley Padar, a volunteer and West Muskingum HS freshman.

Wilkins reminds that the giveaway, which will not be at the Administrative Center as usual, will go on rain or shine.