Charles City Mobile Food Pantry Nov. 5 Saw Largest Turnout Ever for Distribution Efforts

Turnout for last Wednesday’s (11.05) Charles City Mobile Food Pantry was the largest ever for the one-day distribution of food to those in need.

Organizer Jen Burton says there were 438 households represented at the pantry, with 380 households receiving the full amount of food.  The remaining 58 households received whatever they had left.

The Charles City Mobile Food Pantry has been averaging about 350 households on the first Wednesday of the month. Food is supplied by the Northeast Iowa Food Bank, which Burton was in contact with in advance of last week’s operation, in anticipation of the increased traffic at the Floyd County Fairgrounds.

Given the interruption of November SNAP benefits to some 270,000 Iowans, Burton says she was not surprised last week’s pantry was the biggest ever. 

Volunteers also rose to meet the challenge last week. 

Burton says the “beyond awesome volunteer attendance” included some 185 volunteers helping distribute the food.

She added, “I am so blessed with volunteers when many organizations struggle. A group of girl scouts were there and had a fun time!” 

 Burton says she expects the December 3rd mobile food pantry to be just as big.