LOCK HAVEN — As raindrops fell Thursday morning, a line of cars snaked throughout the Castanea Picnic Grounds.

The crowd was there to take part in the “Military Share Program,” which provides food for veterans, veterans’ widows and their families.

The program has been in place since June of 2018, according to Clinton County Director of Veterans’ Affairs Jennifer Hagaman. The program has been a rousing success, she said.

“We have 217 registered today,” Hagaman explained. “We started with 60 families in 2018, so the program has really grown.”

Those taking part received a box of dry goods, assorted meats, fresh produce, milk and eggs.

“We never know what’s coming until it shows up,” Hagaman said.

The plastic Save-a-Lot bags filled the picnic tables. They were taken from the picnic tables and loaded into vehicles so contact was kept to a minimum.

Hagaman said Save-a-Lot is a key player in the distribution.

“We buy a box of bags, they donate a box of bags,” Hagaman said.

Weis Markets donates doughnuts for the workers. The food itself comes from the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. It’s a part of Fresh Express and Military Shares.

The Castanea Fire Department allows Hagaman and her team to use the grounds, free of charge.

“They don’t charge us anything, they give us use of the building. They’ve been fantastic,” Hagaman said.

As cars rolled in, Hagaman handed out letters to those participating. The letters are for “Friends of the Troops” and are penned by Leslie Scott.

Hagaman said the food is nice mix of perishable and non-perishable items. She was pleased to see so many come out to pick up food in spite of the raindrops and the current COVID-19 crisis.

“We’ve had a great response,” she said. “This is fantastic.”

Volunteers loaded food into trunks of cars, beds of trucks and hatchbacks of SUVs. Several volunteers wore makeshift masks and practiced “social distancing,” as they avoided contact with those getting food.

To participate in the program, Hagaman said that veterans and widows merely need to provide documentation of service.

“All they need to do is come in and bring a proof of service and provide their income. The program is income-based,” Hagaman said.

The Military Share Program takes place the third Thursday of every month. The only time it changes, Hagaman said, is in June because of the fly-in.

“We order the food a week ahead of the distribution,” Hagaman said.

For more information about the program, contact Hagaman Veterans Affairs office at (570) 893-4339.