Mission Truck to Address Food Insecurity in Berks | Berks Regional News

READING, Pa. — A food truck with a special mission is set to hit the streets and will soon be making the rounds spreading hope in Berks County.

The new Berks Community Action Program (BCAP) truck is ready to help those in need.

“This will help fight food insecurity. You know, it won’t completely solve the problem of food insecurity, but it will help,” said Larry Berringer with BCAP.

The group unwraps a food truck that is about to fill a big need. Officials say it will provide meals and support to those living under bridges and in encampments throughout Berks County, as well as the homeless in downtown Reading.

“Everything a food truck could need, we have fryers, refrigeration, a freezer, a beverage cooler, and storage space. Everything there is brand new,” Berringer. said.

The truck was funded by a $250,000 government grant and an additional $100,000 towards the first meal.

“At the initial stage there will be hot soup, coffee, hot cocoa for people who are, for example, in line for groceries. And if you’ve seen them around town, they’re very long,” Berringer explained.

Plans also call for periodic distribution of hot soup and sandwiches in homeless camps and distribution of military-style ready-to-eat meals.

“We’ll go where we see a homelessness or food insecurity situation,” Berringer added.

Information about truck stops will be disseminated through online postings and flyers distributed at targeted locations.