Central Square residents who are food insecure now have another resource to get the nutrition they need. The Food Bank of Central New York unveiled lockers filled with food Monday morning in the Town of Hastings. They are secure and easy to operate through cell phone technology. A customer code gets sent to a smart phone which opens the assigned locker containing a hand-packed box of food. The Food Bank of Central New York’s chief operations director Brian McManus says the pilot program is two months old and working smoothly.
“The ease of access which is really the goal of the whole thing really seems to be delivering on that," McManus said. "Because as you see, it’s a very simple process and it allows folks that live in this community who have a need to have a resource seven days a week.”
McManus says lockers allow them to assist with delivering fresh food to about 16 families weekly. The State Commissioner of the Office of General Services Jeannette Moy says the drive-in location at Van Lieu Town Park is a perfect place for families to pick up their food order.
“Food insecurity can happen for any family. It can happen to any individual," Moy said. "And so, giving this opportunity where you’re coming into a well-lit safe space right in your own hometown, pick-up groceries and bring it back home, it’s a tremendous change that will take place and in a location that is underserved.”
Oswego County is considered a prime location for food lockers because it has an elevated level of food insecurity. The program is funded through a USDA grant and costs $150,000. Anyone wanting to sign-up for food within the Central Square School District or in Truxton can reach out to the Food Bank.
