Housing Authority of Danville Serves Residents with Mobile Food Pantry

Danville Housing Authority food essentials are readied for delivery using their new mobile food pantry van.

Danville Housing Authority's new mobile food pantry delivery van being filled with needed food essentials for residents.

Much needed food items are bagged and ready for delivery on board the housing authority's new mobile food pantry van.

The Housing Authority of Danville (HAD) has found a creative a solution to ensure their residents and the people they serve are able to obtain food without breaking quarantine, saving numerous people from possibly exposing themselves to COVID-19. Using federal Coronavirus Relief Funds, HAD purchased a van with the mission of ensuring their residents have access to food.

The mobile pantry is now serving at least 30 households. Prior to the pandemic, only six to eight people came to the food pantry a month. The increase is attributed to both the pandemic causing an increase in need, but also because of the mobility of the van.

"The primary challenges with the residents in the authority is transportation and providing them with adequate nutrition," said Gwen Campbell, Resident Services Coordinator, HAD. "With the mobile food pantry, we can take nutritious food right to the residents."

Additionally, HAD purchased laptops using the Coronavirus Relief Funds and is expanding Wi-Fi services for their residents. HAD provides things like life skills classes, children's activities, and job search assistance.

"The response to the pandemic by HUD partners throughout Kentucky has been nothing short of remarkable," said Peter Jackson, HUD Kentucky Field Office Director. "This is especially true of some of our smaller sites, who may not have a large portfolio, but make an enormous impact in the areas they serve. My sincerest appreciation for Executive Director, Tim Kitts, who continues to run a great program for HUD-assisted residents at the Housing Authority of Danville that is deserving of nationwide praise."

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