Ready to serve

A community’s food pantry is often a lifeline for those who are struggling to make ends meet. The relief of having quality food available can bring comfort for those in need.

Baxter’s food pantry, located on the back side of the community building and city hall, meets those needs through its own unique way. Not open for regular hours, the volunteers at the pantry will work seven days a week to fulfill the requests of those who are looking for a little help.

“Right now during COVID, what we’re doing is we have the client give me a call and I have a master list of what foods we have in the pantry and I go down that list and they tell me what they need. That way they get to choose their own items and they won’t get 16 cans of something they won’t eat,” organizer Joellen Cross said. “One of our volunteers fills the order. Then, we have the client meet them at the food pantry to pick up the food.”

Clad in masks and requesting clients wear masks at pick up as well, the volunteers are continuing their work, even during the unprecedented situation. While their hours aren’t set, Cross finds it works out well with a base of about 15 families.

“I had three clients call yesterday but I hadn’t had any for two weeks before that. It is really variable,” Cross said. “I would like to serve more, I would like more people to know about it. I think there has been a variety of things keeping people from coming. Part of it is pride, people don’t want to admit they need help, unfortunately.”

The pantry carries mostly dry goods with a few frozen items available including hamburger and hot dogs. There is also a stock of personal hygiene items and with each visit, the organization tries to give clients a gift certificate to the local store.

“That way they can get fresh things likes eggs, lettuce, milk and fresh fruits and vegetables,” Cross said.

The pantry serves those who live and work in Baxter and Ira, along with families with kids who attend Baxter schools. Cross thought she might see an uptick in families using the pantry when the school district decided against providing summer lunches, but so far, that isn’t the case.

“I did talk to one of our regular clients who I hadn’t seen in awhile who said they got the stimulus money and the extra $600 a week, so they have actually had enough money to buy food. So the stimulus did work for some people,” Cross said.

The number of clients often ebbs and flows as the seasons change but they are always prepared for those who may be in need. While the organization is too small to be included in the Iowa Food Bank and doesn’t receive any government funding, the willingness of community members to give keeps the pantry running.

“We get donations of food from the churches sometimes and just random citizens. We also get monetary donations from different organizations and then we go out and buy food with that,” Cross said. We spread it around, it can depend on convenience, we do try to buy things from here in town but we also know when we need big cases of things we’ll go to Aldi’s or Sam’s Club.”

There is little overhead for the pantry with the space provided by the city and volunteers using their own funds for gas mileage.

“I haven’t had anybody ever ask me for reimbursement on their gas mileage,” Cross said.  “Pretty much 100 percent of what people give us for money donations goes right back into food and personal hygiene products.”

Whether it is just needed for a week, a month or continually, the Baxter Food Pantry is there to assist those asking for their services.

“I know people will call me and say, my food stamps don’t come until a week from tomorrow and we’ll say come on down,” Cross said. “People are very grateful, it is a lifeline for a lot of people.”

Cross has had a history of volunteering and started in Baxter after moving back to the community. Her aunt was heading up the cause and as she took a step back, Cross took over the reins and has continued the worthy endeavor.

“It feels good to me,” Cross said. “It is a community resource and as part of the community, anybody can use it if they need it.”

For more information about the Baxter Food Pantry call 641-227-3391 or 515-250-4839  between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com