March 19, 2024

Food pantry shortage at Salvation Army

Food donations needed

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Many local families in need lean on the Newton Salvation Army and its resources. Inside the organization’s food pantry, shelves are not always packed tight with canned goods, boxed meals, peanut butter and pastas. Currently, items are scarce, and the Salvation Army is in need of donations, especially as the holidays are quickly approaching.

Food pantry coordinator Ed Poe said he struggles with the need when he packs food up for families on a daily basis. For the past six years, Poe has seen the food pantry serve around 170 families per month, but that number has risen to 280 families and at times more than 300 families.

Poe said families who are eligible can come to the Salvation Army once a month for a donation from the food pantry. Throughout the years, he said he has come in contact with the same families and has gotten to know them when he loads up their cars.

“I enjoy the people the most — I know most everyone, what they drive and their names,” Poe said. “I am always able to cheer them up and they always cheer me up.”

Large families typically receive 55 pounds of groceries per box plus meat. Smaller families receive 25 pounds of food plus meat.

“I have the boxes pre-made and then I just have to take it out to their car,” Poe said. “We also have frozen meat — chicken, beef, hamburgers and turkeys.”

The food pantry receives donations from the Food Bank of Iowa and from residents in the community and churches.

“We used to receive 14,000 pounds of food from the Des Moines food bank a year,” Poe said. “Now it has been cut down to about half that with 6,000 to 7,000 pounds.”

Poe said the cut is due to the large need for food statewide. In addition, the community and churches donate approximately 30,000 pounds of food per year. Most of those donations filter in around the holidays and are much lighter around the summer months.

“We typically see the most donations around the holiday months and they will fill up the entire pantry and the chapel,” Poe said. “I really want to thank the community for all their efforts and without them we wouldn’t stay open.”

The Salvation Army is also preparing to distribute Thanksgiving and Christmas food boxes, which Poe said he usually starts putting together around this time of year. The food pantry is also in need of plastic bag donations.

“Usually I’m able to start putting them together, but since we are low on food I haven’t been able to start,” Poe said. “The Thanksgiving meals usually include corn, green beans, macaroni and cheese, cream of mushroom soup, sweet potatoes and a turkey.”

Upcoming events at the Jasper County Salvation Army include the annual Quilt and Basket Auction Fundraiser with a chicken and noodles supper from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 3 until the auction beginning at 7 p.m.

Proceeds from the event will go to the programs the Salvation Army provide to assist the community.

Captain Janelle Cleaveland said there will be around 20 baskets and eight quilts set to be auctioned off.

“I would encourage people to come and support our quilters and those who are in need of help and hope,” Cleaveland said.

In addition, the Red Kettle Campaign is set for Nov. 18 through Dec. 23. The Jasper County Salvation Army has a goal of $33,000 for the kettles alone.

“The kettles will be located at six locations and will run from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.,” Cleaveland said. “If you have someone at a kettle, you are most likely to raise more money and it’s up to you how much you interact with people passing by.”

Contact Kayla Singletary at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or ksingletary@newtondailynews.com