Turnout for November’s 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 Floyd County Fairgrounds on November 5th, well above their normal first-Wednesday-of-the-month average of about 350 households. However, despite upping their food supply from the Northeast Iowa Food Bank (NEIFB) in anticipation of the increased demand due to an interruption in SNAP benefits, they fell short of the need.
In response, the Mobile Pantry and NEIFB upped their supply to 445 households worth of food for December. Unfortunately, Burton says weather kept turnout to under 300.
For the January distribution, they returned to their regular levels with food for up to 350 households. That will be the working number for the first-Wednesday-of-the-month distribution for February, which is from 5 to 6 pm Wednesday (02.04) at the Youth Enrichment Center on the Floyd County Fairgrounds.
Those coming for food are reminded that line up does not begin until 3:30 pm.
Burton says extra volunteers are always welcome, with a variety of duties available for how ever much time one can contribute.
For more information on the mobile food pantry or to volunteer, contact Burton at 641-220-1769.
