Harrison officials, groups work together to install food pantry in Natrona

A new, free community food pantry is available for residents in the Natrona area of Harrison.

The pantry, located near the basketball court and concession stand in Natrona Community Park on River Road, is one of two that was the idea of township resident Michele Plocki and built by her husband, Bob. The second is about half-finished and will be located at the Community Library of Allegheny Valley in the Natrona Heights area of the township.

“I felt there was a need, especially with the pandemic,” Michele Plocki said.

While the Allegheny Valley Association of Churches runs a food bank in Harrison, Plocki said, “I still think there’s a demographic of people who might have need that might not qualify for that. I also thought kids who are now home and whose parents have to go to work might be able to access it on foot when they have a need.”

Plocki took her idea to the church association, which resulted in a number of community groups and organizations coming together with the township to get the first pantry in place.

The church association took the idea to the Highlands Partnership Network, a collection of government, business, nonprofit and faith-based organizations serving Brackenridge, Fawn, Harrison and Tarentum. The Building Block of Natrona took on the project and sought approval from township commissioners to install the pantry.

The township provided the cement, and its public works crews installed it.

“This project will ensure our most vulnerable residents have access to nonperishable food on a regular basis,” said Tricia Ritchie, president and founder of The Building Block of Natrona.

The pantry was stocked for the first time on Thursday.

“If someone needs a can of soup, this is a place they can come and get it and it’s free,” Harrison Commissioner Gary Lilly said. “I’m glad to see that.”

The pantry offers an opportunity for those who might have a few extra cans of food around to give them to others in need, said Karen Snair, executive director of the Allegheny Valley Association of Churches.

“It would be nice to see this kept full,” Commissioner William Heasley said.

Michele Plocki is involved with a pantry that has been at the community garden in Tarentum through her church, Abundant Joy Fellowship.

“It’s a great concept,” she said. “The whole community can bless others in the community by leaving food there.”