News : A Mobile Food Pantry Making a Permanent Difference

By Tami Stark On the 3rd Saturday of every month, a close yet growing group of volunteers gather together at Wesley United Methodist Church (the church by the Library) and work to provide food and household goods to over 55 people every month. The volunteer work begins on Thursday when 1 volunteer stops at a HACAP location to pick up food and another volunteer gets it to the church. On Friday evening, many more volunteers come in to set up the tables and arrange the items for the morning visitors. Saturday morning usually sees 20 more volunteers, ready to help each person as they come in. The Mobile Food Pantry is open from 10:00 – 11:00 AM, and with 85 families registered, they never know how many there will be, as not every person can come every month. The Mobile Food Pantry (MFP) follows the HACAP income guidelines, so a family earning less than $2538 per month qualifies. If a family receives SNAP or free/reduced meals, they qualify. However, it is important to note that if anyone is in need, assistance is always there. To date, the volunteers at the MPF have not had to turn anyone away. There have been times when they run out of something that someone was looking/hoping for, but they’ve never been unable to help those that come in. 6 years ago Erin Monaghan introduced the idea of a food pantry other than the Benton County pantry to Barb Rego and Heidi Schminke. They put their heads together and created what is now known as the Mobile Food Pantry. Mobile because they do not have a room available that is open all of the time. Their original location was not ideal for the mission, so they partnered with Wesley United Methodist Church (the Church by the Library) and gained a permanent home. There have been shelves built to stock and store goods in one of the church’s larger rooms, making it easier to inventory and take/use what is available. The members of Wesley have welcomed the program and have a grocery cart permanently in view as a spot for all donations. Some months are designated “item” months for the pantry, for example, February is soup month, so all are encouraged to bring cans of soup to stock the pantry shelves. While similar in their missions, the MFP and the Benton County Food Pantry are not allowed to trade or donate to each other, but they are partnering on a program that when put together, will benefit children in Junior High and High School. Currently, Operation Back Pack serves the children in elementary grades, and this new addition will reach those older children who may be falling through the cracks Erin says that the MFP helps people in more ways than just providing meals. For many, it’s a social connection and friendships are formed. There is also the reduction in stress that so many people feel when they are struggling financially. She says that people genuinely want to help each other and both the volunteers as well as the participants benefit from this every month. The volunteers have even witnessed improvements among some participant’s health and disposition, all by eating better and having that extra social connection. Barb Rego says that many of the participants in the program have bonded with the volunteers and support the program in their own ways. One gentleman wrote a letter to the volunteers expressing his appreciation for them. When he passed away close to Christmas, his family gave a monetary donation to the pantry, which was his wish. “It’s not just about the food, it’s about the connections.” The ladies say that it’s the donations of time, food, household goods and money that make this mission possible. These things come from many different places. HACAP provides a monthly staple of various food/dry good items and Fareway provides a monthly staple of canned vegetables. Church members and Vinton residents provide a wide assortment of other goods and donations of cash or gift cards allow the volunteers to purchase many additional items to round out the shelves. For example, they were able to purchase canned chicken at only .50 per can. Seasonal fruits and vegetables are always welcome additions. There are some things that they cannot take, such as opened packages, expired items or large quantities of items that will need to be divided into smaller packages. If you have a question about something you would like to donate, contact pantry coordinators, Barbara Rego or Erin Monaghan. barrego@aol.com or erin.bentoniowadecat@gmail.com With the Holidays having passed, it is crucial for this program and all of the area Food Banks that people continue to support their efforts by any means they are comfortable with. It’s a positive feeling knowing that the cans/boxes of food that you give will be in the kitchens of people that need them. It’s a positive feeling to know that the check or gift card that you donate will be used to provide families with items that they were worried about not having. If you can’t give now, but would like to help, stop by Wesley United Methodist Church on the 3rd Saturday of each month and give time instead of money. Join this growing group. When asked what the most important thing they would like people to know about the MFP and their efforts, their answer was quick and easy. They want everyone to know that food is available for anyone in need and they are completely about dignity. Everyone is equal at the Mobile Food Pantry.