JONESVILLE — High demand is causing The Potters House of Jonesville to seek other outlets to get food for its next Truck Load of Food event.

The next food distribution day for those in need of assistance is set for Saturday, Feb. 20, but Pastor Don Moore reports the church and its volunteers won’t have the benefit of food from Second Harvest again this month.

“At this time we are not able to receive truck loads of food from Second Harvest because of high demand,” Moore reported.

Second Harvest is the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity. The Potters House food bank has received food from the organization in the past; however, demand has been so high in the last few months it’s been hard for the church to secure food from Second Harvest.

Moore was fortunate in December to receive food from the hunger-relief agency when another food bank couldn’t make it to pick its load up due to the weather.

But because the need is so high, the Jonesville church is finding other avenues to feed the more than 900 families registered in and around Union County needing food.

Moore said the church has found a way to purchase food for the upcoming distribution day at a discounted rate, but any assistance would be appreciated. He’s asking all who can help — churches, schools, clubs and individuals — to do so by donating food, nonperishable items or funds. Any money donated to the food bank project is deposited into the food bank account at First Citizens Bank in Jonesville.

Since its beginning in October, The Potters House food bank has served more than 1,000 people in need from throughout Union County and beyond by giving them boxes of food and other nonperishable items once a month.

Moore said that need isn’t going away.

“The need is massive among the people of Union County,” he said. “And we are still getting new registrations on a regular basis.”

Moore receives phone calls on a daily basis from people in desperate need of food and other essentials.

Anyone who needs the food bank’s assistance — who hasn’t already done so — can register for help on several upcoming dates. The first is today (Thursday, Feb. 4) from 2-5 p.m. at the church in Jonesville. Registration times also are set 2-5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Feb. 18-19, and remember — if you’ve already registered to receive assistance you do not need to again.

Those who would like to volunteer their time and services to The Potters House are encouraged to do so. Moore said the church will be packing boxes for the Feb. 20 distribution day 3-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, and start again at 9 a.m. the morning of distribution. The church also could use help on registration days.

“Any help will be appreciated,” Moore said.

TO HELP:

For more information about The Potters House food bank or to lend your help — volunteering or donating food, nonperishable items or funds — to the program, call Pastor Don Moore at (864) 680-3465.

TO REGISTER:

If you need food assistance and would like to register for The Potters House’s next food distribution day Feb. 20, go to the church in Jonesville 2-5 p.m. today (Thursday, Feb. 4); Thursday, Feb. 18; and Friday, Feb. 19. You also can call Pastor Don Moore at (864) 680-3465 to register. And remember, if you have already registered to receive food from the food bank you do not need to do so again — you are still registered.