Shepherd House Lansford Food Pantry is open the third Monday of each month. All community members who qualify are welcomed.

The pantry distributes food from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 104 East Abbott Street.Due to the increasing need for the food pantry, donations of funds and nonperishable food are requested. For further information call Betty Pearson at 570-645-3416.The food distributed includes juice, canned milk, soups, canned vegetables and protein, cereal and rice or pasta. The food will provide the family with breakfast, lunch and dinner for a period of three days.In 2010, the pantry served 980 families (1,679 adults, 1,067 children and 205 elderly), representing 27,000 meals.In this current year, to date, the pantry has served 779 families (1,408 adults, 795 children and 147 elderly), representing 21,000 meals. The pantry will certainly surpass last year's number of families served, said Pearson."Sadly, our community continues to be impacted by the economic conditions of our country," president Betty Pearson wrote. "As families strive to pay their bills, pay for their medical needs and to feed their families, many find their money just does not stretch far enough. With your donation of funds or uncooked food or supplies, the Lansford Food Pantry will continue to provide this vital service. As you can see the need for food continues to grow. Based on the current families being served, by the end of the year we will have doubled the families from last year."