Food pantry opening to serve community?s needs

New Life Community Church is preparing to open another resource for local citizens in need.

The Rev. Linda McGaffey hopes to have everything in place to open the church?s new food pantry next month. Right now, organizers are busy establishing a sustainable foundation and setting guidelines.

McGaffey was tuned into the community?s need through her husband?s work disbursing monthly Salvation Army funds. She said a lot of people?s needs aren?t being met through other resources. Sometimes they made too much money in one month or they received assistance the previous month and don?t qualify for aid, McGaffey said.

Funds and goods are often disbursed at the start of the month, and by the end of the month, people are desperate, she said.

Her church and other local churches have witnessed a growing need and are working together to open the pantry. McGaffey said the church doesn?t want to take the place of any other resource, but instead offer a supplement.

New Life Community Church is currently accepting donations. Contact food pantry director Susan Brown at 472-8254 or volunteer staffing coordinator Carolyn Buch at 233-0072 to arrange delivery.

In addition to non-perishable food products, McGaffey said diapers, formula, paper goods and cleaning supplies are needed. She pointed out toilet paper and shampoo can?t be purchased with food stamps.

?These are very, very real needs that we as a church through the love of God want to be able to offer,? McGaffey said.

She has established partnerships with other local organizations to provide regular monthly support.

Word of Life Lutheran Church is running a food drive through Christmas to help stock the pantry. Donations are being accepted there 6-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

The Rev. Jamie Strickler, pastor of Word of Life, also suggests gift cards for gas or gift cards to Hy-Vee that can be used to purchase meat.

?The main goal is to stock their pantry and feed the community,? Strickler said. The secondary goal, he said, is to show the local Christian churches working together.

?We?ve had a great response so far,? he said.

Word of Life Lutheran Church also is collecting canned goods during its 7 p.m. Tuesday nondenominational services. Beginning Nov. 29, a soup supper will be offered before the services, starting at 6 p.m., to those who donate.

Canned good admission to Word of Life?s showing of ?The Nativity? at 7 p.m. Dec. 21 also will go to the pantry.

McGaffey noted all donated foods must have current expiration dates.

To start, the pantry will be open the third Monday of every month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.

Individuals must be referred by another local agency, such as the Southern Iowa Economic Development Association or Department of Human Services, or local pastor.

Individuals who complete an application form and are eligible will qualify for assistance every other month.

McGaffey said limited assistance may be available during an emergency crisis situation.

?I really appreciate that the community can pull together to meet the needs of Jefferson County,? she said.