There are hungry people in Clarksdale and Care Station volunteers will once again hand out food to those in need Tuesday June 13 with its monthly mobile food pantry at the Expo Center.
The Care Station has been feeding the hungry in Clarksdale for more than 32 years and opened the mobile food pantry when the pandemic hit and closed their serving facility downtown.
The food line opens at 10 a.m. and those wanting a box are asked to line up and follow directions.
Most of the food distributed next week comes from the Mid-South Food Bank that has provided dramatically discounted items to the Care Station for years.
Care Station monitors who gets food and how desperate those in the community are for food. Those getting assistance are required to register as part of the program to make sure qualified individuals and homes in Coahoma County and Clarksdale are served first. A photo ID is required.
Only three vouchers can be served per car.
The mobile food pantry is open and free to all residents who qualify for:
• SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits or food stamps.
• Home Energy Assistance from CPU, Coahoma Opportunity or any energy provider.
• SSI (Supplemental Security Income).
• Public Housing.
• TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
• Medicare/Medicaid.
Those wanting to be served can also complete and sign a self-declaration of income statement showing total home income below the poverty line to receive food.
Food distribution is always on a first-come, first-served basis as long as food lasts. Tuesday’s mobile food pantry will finish up shortly after lunch.
Prior to the pandemic the Care Station was delivering more than 185 meals on seven delivery routes and feeding 50 to 60 people at the site on John Lee Hooker Drive next to the Delta Blues Museum. The mobile food pantry was an adjustment to continue to feed the hungry in Clarksdale and has been active each month for almost three years.
The Care Station hosts extensive Thanksgiving and Christmas meals and relies heavily on local donations to provide its services.
Those wishing to volunteer or donate to Care Station can call 662-902-7335, Email them at -thecarestation@gmail.com, or simply drop a check in the mail addressed to PO Box 1041, Clarksdale, MS 38614. All donations are tax deductible.
