At the entrance of Robert F. Nicely Elementary School in Greensburg, John Chrisman waved a gallon of milk Wednesday morning to passing cars, attracting lots of attention.
The American Dairy Association North East held its first event in Westmoreland County to help people in need, “especially for fresh, wholesome, nutrient-rich milk,” said Chrisman, the association’s director of retail marketing and insights.
The group partnered with Whitehall-based Schneider’s Dairy and the Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department to host a free drive-through milk giveaway. The event began at 9 a.m., but people began showing up as early as 8 a.m. The event lasted until 1 p.m., when all 1,500 gallons of milk were gone.
Chrisman, a Greensburg native, was excited to bring the event to his community.
“I knew that if we could partner with (the Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department), they’d find a way to get the word out and we could get as many people here today as possible,” Chrisman said. “I know how active the Greensburg fire department (is) in the community.”
Many of the 21 volunteer firefighters who helped were junior firefighters, including Colten Houser, 15.
“I came out to make a difference, and I came out to help the community,” Houser said. “It’s given me a lot, so I came back to help them.”
Dean Kind, a dairy producer from the Slippery Rock area, explained the milk drive is a part of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, a federally funded program that helps get milk from the processors directly to people.
“When the coronavirus started, the way milk was processed changed a lot,” Kind said. “It made it harder for the milk to get into the hands of the people that needed it.”
Greensburg fire Chief Tom Bell said each family was allowed two gallons.
“Things like this I think help out, and we’re just here for the community,” Bell said.
The volunteer fire department tries to help the community in any way possible, president Rick Steele said.
“We’re constantly looking for ways to help out to make Greensburg a better place,” he said. “We don’t just answer fire calls; we try to help out everybody.”
Greensburg resident Debbie Karl was one of those who received milk.
“They were flagging me down,” Karl said. “I think it’s very helpful.”
Chrisman said a lot of people are out of work, and dairy farmers are happy to help them “make ends meet.”
“Our farmers have always been active in the community trying to get food and especially fresh milk to people in need, but it’s heightened because of this covid situation,” he said.
The American Dairy Association North East is looking to partner with any nonprofit organization to “do more and more,” Chrisman said. In April, the association held a giveaway in Fayette County of nearly 5,000 gallons of milk.
“If we can provide fresh milk to people in need, we’re going to do it and we’re going to do it everywhere we can,” he said.
