GALLIPOLIS — Volunteers turned out in force Tuesday at Grace United Methodist Church in Gallipolis as citizens lined up around the block to be served by the Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio (LSS) Mobile Food Pantry.

The pantry sets up at New Life Lutheran Church, 170 New Life Way, Gallipolis, the first Tuesday of every month and at Grace United, 600 Second Ave., Gallipolis, the third Tuesday of each month from noon to 2 p.m., serving up to 125 Gallia County families per trip.

LSS Mobile Food Pantry Manager Mark McPherson said that approximately 22 additional families sign up for the service every time they visit. He added that through the 125 families, 278 individuals are being served, mainly in the 18 to 59 age bracket.

The pantry not only provides food for those in need, but also toiletries such as toothpaste and deodorant that most of us take for granted. It is a true community effort, with the Episcopalian Church donating diapers as well as volunteers.

McPherson said LSS provides a lot of the items given away, but the produce is the result of donations. The pantry pulls from Logan Food Bank.

Tuesday’s focus was on Thanksgiving items needed for the upcoming holiday.

Clients are able to utilize the mobile pantry once a month in order to obtain a three-day supply of food, though many families will stretch out those supplies to last an entire week. The amount of food allotted will generally feed a family of four with a grocery value of approximately $175.

Citizens interested in using the pantry must obtain a referral from FirstLink, a non-profit organization. Referrals are available one week prior to the pantry’s visitation date.

To make a reservation, Gallia residents can call (877) 704-3663 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.