Zoetis volunteers among those helping at monthly mobile food pantry distribution at Floyd County Fairgrounds

To The Press

It takes a lot of volunteers to help distribute food to a lot of area households, and there were plenty of both at the monthly mobile food pantry distribution that was held Wednesday, April 5.

In addition to many of the regular area volunteers, Zoetis provided the main volunteer group at the distribution last week.

“The mobile pantry has been growing and is currently serving upwards of 200 households in need,” said Jen Burton, mobile food pantry site coordinator for the Northeast Iowa Food Bank.

“Due to the large number of clients, the pantry requires a fair number of volunteers to make the pantry experience smooth and efficient,” Burton said.

The Northeast Iowa Food Bank sponsors a mobile food pantry in Charles City on the first Wednesday of each month, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Youth Enrichment Center at the Floyd County Fairgrounds.

The program serves families, individuals and seniors in areas of high need to supplement other pantries and agencies, Burton said.

“All in all, there were 56 volunteers helping,” Burton said. “We served 162 households and plan to serve even more in May. The next pantry is on May 3.”

A minimum of about 40 volunteers are needed 4-7 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month to set up, move and pack food, distribute food, and clean up.

“The time commitment is small, yet has a tremendous impact to those in need,” Burton said, adding that all ages of volunteers are welcome.

Burton said data shows that Floyd County has a high rate of food insecurity at 10% of its residents. Food insecurity is defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as the lack of access, at times, to enough food for an active, healthy life.

Food insecurity is associated with numerous adverse social and health outcomes and is increasingly considered a critical public health issue, the USDA said. Key drivers of food insecurity include unemployment, poverty and income shocks, which can prevent adequate access to food.

For more information on the mobile food pantry distribution, or how you can help, contact Jen Burton at 641-220-1769.