New food pantry opens in Donora
DONORA – Michael Matthews wanted to give something extra to the people with disabilities he works with in the Mon Valley.
Matthews, as assistant deputy director of Disability Options Network in Donora, realized that goal by opening a new food pantry to serve the organization’s clients.
“I wanted to help,” Matthews said.
He said his clients can come into the center once a month to receive free items from the pantry.
The center at 568 Galiffa Drive in Donora Industrial Park serves about 30 people in Washington, Westmoreland, Fayette, Greene and Allegheny counties, said Michelle Loar, the center’s director of quality assurance.
It offers them such services as peer support, game days, skills training, advocacy and computer classes with the financial support of the federal government and private donors, Loar said.
The center and food pantry are located in the Don Services building.
Loar said the center initially stocked the pantry with items collected by Girl Scout Troop 52385 in Greene County.
The pantry is named in honor of the late Robert P. Romero of Washington, who was a tireless advocate for those with disabilities.
“He was a good friend to all of us,” Loar said.
The pantry will be dedicated at 1 p.m. Dec. 18, the one-year anniversary of Romero’s death at age 62.
Anyone interested in donating to the pantry should call 724-856-4978.