Methodist Church food ministry receives COVID relief grant

FAIRFIELD — The Fairfield First United Methodist Church’s Food Bank Ministry received a grant of nearly $3,000 as part of a COVID relief package from the federal government.

The Fairfield church was among 265 food pantries in Iowa to receive some of the almost $2 million through a COVID Relief Partner Agency Grant made possible through the federal CARES Act.

The Methodist Church’s food bank ministry began in June 2020 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sylvia Richards, co-chair of the ministry, said the church saw a need to serve seniors and the disabled, who were advised to stay home as much as possible to avoid getting sick.

That’s where the church stepped in, creating a team of volunteers to deliver food to those in need once a month. For its most recent distribution earlier this month, the church delivered food to 47 households.

“By delivering to the elderly and to the disabled, we figure that is a service to the community that wasn’t being met somewhere else,” Richards said. “These are people who are more vulnerable who have a hard time getting to food pantries in town.”

Since the food bank ministry began, the church has delivered almost 36,000 pounds of food to 75 households. Steve Ernst, co-chair of the committee, said the ministry has spent $2,450 on food, which comes to an average of 6.8 cents per pound. The ministry partners with the Food Bank of Iowa and receives food from its Ottumwa warehouse.

“A lot of the food comes at no cost like the potatoes, milk, butter and eggs,” Ernst said.

Richards added, “It’s the same quality of food you’ll find in the grocery store.”

Households receive a box of 23 pounds of food and includes a variety of items such as frozen hams, pizzas and other dinners, as well as rice, beans, pasta, cereal, canned fruits and vegetables as well as fresh ones. Richards remarked that, for some clients, the 23 pounds of food constitute a “good portion” of their caloric consumption for the month.

Ernst said the distributions would not be possible without a team of volunteers, who assemble the food boxes in a garage next to the church and deliver them the same day that the food arrives from the food bank. At least 30 people help with setup, delivery and cleanup.

“Volunteers make this whole thing possible,” Richards said.