GALLIPOLIS — Volunteers were on hand at Grace United Methodist Church Tuesday afternoon distributing food from Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio (LSS) mobile food pantry.

This marks the pantry’s first full visit to Gallia and from now on, the mobile pantry plans to travel to the area on the first and third Tuesday of every month from noon to 2 p.m., serving up to 125 Gallia County families each trip.

The first delivery of the month will take place at New Life Lutheran Church, 170 New Life Way, Gallipolis, with the second at Grace United Methodist Church, 600 Second Ave. Local volunteers work to assist the pantry during delivery visits.

Clients are able use the pantry once a month in order to obtain a three-day supply of food, though according to Barb Packer, corporate director of food pantry services, many families stretch out their supplies to last for an entire week. Food is generally allotted to feed a family of four with a grocery value of approximately $175.

Packer said the pantry pulls from the Logan Food Bank and decided to go mobile because transportation is often the biggest problem (outside of obtaining food) in getting products to those who need it most. The mobile pantry also receives donations from Columbus as well as northeast and central Ohio. She added that it is a choice food pantry, which means clients can choose between certain foods.

Due to the current economy, many local food banks have struggled to keep food very long as clients in need have been lined up for aid. Packer said that LSS is not trying to compete with local banks, but just trying help them fulfill the needs of area residents.

According to Mark McPherson, mobile food pantry manager, 125 families were registered to receive food Tuesday, but everyone registered did not show up and they were able to serve more than 12 additional families who were not signed up. He added that this is not common practice and encouraged residents to properly register to receive food.

Citizens interested in using the pantry need to obtain a referral from FirstLink, a non-profit organization. Referrals are available one week prior to the pantry’s visitation date, which will be on the first and third Tuesday of every month.

To make a reservation, Gallia residents can call 1-877-704-3663 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month.