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​WILKES-BARRE TWP. — Lady Strider Nancy Kinney’s running abilities were put to good use Saturday as she made her way through a parking lot at the Wyoming Valley Mall to bring food to those with disabilities.

Kinney and about 10 other Lady Striders were volunteering at a Thanksgiving food giveaway sponsored by the Commission on Economic Opportunity ‘s Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank. Although most of the nearly 9,000 recipients of the food will walk through the building once occupied by Sears to get food for their holiday table, some with physical disabilities weren’t able to get out of their vehicles.

The Lady Striders were more than happy to serve as “runners” to get cartfuls of food to the cars.

Kinney said the idea was the brainchild of Karen Moskel, one of the founders of the group.

“In addition to running, we also want to give back to the community,” she said.

CEO Executive Director Gene Brady said the event, in its 40th year, answers a need in the community.

Brady said he was overwhelmed with the volunteers and sponsors which have made the event possible each year.

The event’s location, now in the space at the mall, has meant an efficient flow through the event’s various stations, he said. Brady credits Rod Blaine,director of administration, with organizing this year’s food giveaway that efficiently and compassionately got food to people in need.

For example, Brady said volunteers were aware that many recipients had children with them, so the worked to get them out of the cold and into the building as soon as possible.

Arrows on the floor “directed traffic,” so people knew where they were going and volunteers had their own entrance. Blaine said the food provided at the giveaway was both tasty and nutritious. “We especially like to give away fresh produce,” he said, pointing toward bins full of fresh apples.

Blaine said the event, which encompasses four days over two weekends, brought out about 300 volunteers each day.

This year’s recipients who didn’t have a ride home with their food were provided free Uber rides. About a dozen Girl Scouts from Mountain Top were on hand, clad in their uniforms, and ready to lend a hand anywhere they were needed. Girl Scout Chloe Wiedlich, 10, said she was having a good time with her friends.

“I like going on this kind of outing,” she said. “I like putting food in the carts.”

Angel Matchis and her daughter Monique Parham have been volunteering at the event for over a decade, after then realized that there was a need for food in the Wyoming Valley.

Both appreciated the warmth and space of the new location.

“When we first started volunteering at the giveaway, it was cold and dark,” she said. “We like it here better.”

A group of CEO nutrition educators were also set up at the event, providing information and recipes about healthy foods.

Amanda Gordineer and Amanda Sandroni were two of the nutrition educators that were on hand to provide information about putting together a “healthy plate.”

“It’s a great way to get to know how to use new foods,” they said. “To have more variety.”

Many of those attending took time to stop at the colorful table and asked questions about nutrition and get recipe ideas. Stephanie, a single mother of four, was getting food this year for the first time.

“My kids eat a lot,” she said. “And, my mother suggested that I come.” Stephanie said that one of her children had a chronic condition and that she was unable to work.

When asked if she would use the food for Thanksgiving, Stephanie said, “Well, for Thanksgiving and to get through today.”

Volunteer Gwen Lupas, of Wilkes-Barre, picks up bags of apples for the needy during the Commission on Economic Opportunity Thanksgiving food giveaway at the former Sears store in the Wyoming Valley Mall on Saturday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/web1_TTL111719CEOfood_4.jpg.optimal.jpgVolunteer Gwen Lupas, of Wilkes-Barre, picks up bags of apples for the needy during the Commission on Economic Opportunity Thanksgiving food giveaway at the former Sears store in the Wyoming Valley Mall on Saturday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Volunteer Nina Curry, of Wilkes-Barre Township, maneuvers carts of food at the Commission on Economic Opportunity Thanksgiving food giveaway at the former Sears store in the Wyoming Valley Mall on Saturday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/web1_TTL111719CEOfood_2.jpg.optimal.jpgVolunteer Nina Curry, of Wilkes-Barre Township, maneuvers carts of food at the Commission on Economic Opportunity Thanksgiving food giveaway at the former Sears store in the Wyoming Valley Mall on Saturday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Volunteer Bobby Macko, 13, of Wilkes-Barre, center, positions carts of food for the needy at the Commission on Economic Opportunity Thanksgiving food giveaway at the former Sears store in the Wyoming Valley Mall on Saturday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/web1_TTL111719CEOfood_3.jpg.optimal.jpgVolunteer Bobby Macko, 13, of Wilkes-Barre, center, positions carts of food for the needy at the Commission on Economic Opportunity Thanksgiving food giveaway at the former Sears store in the Wyoming Valley Mall on Saturday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Volunteers Andrew Gryskevicz, of Shavertown, left, and Carla Weiss, of Dallas, load carts with paper products during the Commission on Economic Opportunity Thanksgiving food giveaway at the former Sears store in the Wyoming Valley Mall on Saturday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/web1_TTL111719CEOfood_5.jpg.optimal.jpgVolunteers Andrew Gryskevicz, of Shavertown, left, and Carla Weiss, of Dallas, load carts with paper products during the Commission on Economic Opportunity Thanksgiving food giveaway at the former Sears store in the Wyoming Valley Mall on Saturday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Thousands of bags of food wait to be distributed during the CEO Thanksgiving food giveaway at the former Sears store in the Wyoming Valley Mall on Saturday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/web1_TTL111719CEOfood_6.jpg.optimal.jpgThousands of bags of food wait to be distributed during the CEO Thanksgiving food giveaway at the former Sears store in the Wyoming Valley Mall on Saturday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Volunteers Natalie Rasmus, of Nanticoke, left, and Paige Sala, a Misericordia University student from Pottsdam, N.Y., load a cart of food for the needy at the Commission on Economic Opportunity Thanksgiving food giveaway at the former Sears store in the Wyoming Valley Mall on Saturday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/web1_TTL111719CEOfood_1.jpg.optimal.jpgVolunteers Natalie Rasmus, of Nanticoke, left, and Paige Sala, a Misericordia University student from Pottsdam, N.Y., load a cart of food for the needy at the Commission on Economic Opportunity Thanksgiving food giveaway at the former Sears store in the Wyoming Valley Mall on Saturday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader
CEO enjoys new place for food giveaway

By Geri Gibbons

For Times Leader