Times Observer file photo Volunteers load food into vehicles at a Second Harvest Food Bank Military Share event in 2021. Registrations for a Thursday Produce Express distribution at First Lutheran Church are expected to exceed the supply. Second Harvest will hold another Produce Express event at 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, at Calvary Baptist Church, 445 Conewango Ave., Warren.

The need for healthy food is so high that a distribution scheduled for today is being overrun with registrants and may end up turning people away.

The good news is there is another distribution in one week.

Following the publication of a story about a Thursday, Jan. 19, Second Harvest Produce Express distribution in the Tuesday, Jan. 17, edition of the Times Observer, the host of that event – First Lutheran Church – has received so many calls that they have had to plan for running out of food.

“First Lutheran had ordered food for their clients before the article and may not be able to meet the demand tomorrow for new clients,” Second Harvest Marketing and Media Coordinator Natalie Massing said Wednesday.

Those who need food and don’t get it at the Thursday distribution will have another chance in a week.

“We have a Produce Express distribution the fourth Thursday of every month at Calvary Baptist Church, 445 Conewango Ave.” Massing said. This month, that distribution starts at 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26.

Those who are unable to get the food they need at First Lutheran will be alerted of next week’s distribution, she said.

“The drive thru distribution includes 30 to 60 pounds of food items, including non-perishables, a frozen box, produce box, dairy, along with breads and desserts,” Massing said previously. “They can call our Food Helpline to register at (814) 459-3663 extension 117.”

“Registration is important for the Produce Express distribution so that we may have enough food on hand for those in need,” Massing said for the Tuesday story. There are guidelines based on 185 percent of federal poverty level available to help determine eligibility, but “applicants do not have to show proof of eligibility.”