BGM schools host holiday food, gift drive

BROOKLYN — BGM schools have several outreach programs underway to provide food and Christmas gifts to area families in need.

The district has been working with the local food pantries along with the Grinnell Food Coalition to plan for emergency food resources due to the recent SNAP benefits shutdown.

BGM is hosting a mini food drive through Friday, Nov. 21 to collect specific items to create meal bags for Brooklyn and Malcom food pantries to hand out.

The school will hold its annual food drive between Thanksgiving and Christmas with all donations going to local food pantries.

BGM will include a food voucher in their Backpack program to help families in need.

The food drives are under the direction of iJAG, FCCLA, NHS and the BGM Student Council.

Among food items needed for the food drive are Hamburger Helper, hamburger, Tuna Helper, cans of tuna, cans of chicken, pancake mix, syrup, dried soups, boxed macaroni and cheese and boxed potatoes..

Christmas is a joyful and exciting time for many children and families. However, it can also bring added stress, especially when financial resources are limited. Planning a happy holiday can be challenging if providing gifts and special meals feels out of reach.

“We are very fortunate to live in a caring and generous community,” said a BGM district official. “Several local community members, organizations, and church groups are eager to support families in need during this Christmas season.”

If your family — or another BGM family you know — could benefit from this assistance, complete a form with the parents’ names and phone numbers and names, ages and clothing sizes of children in the family and return it to the BGM elementary or high school office.

You may place it in a sealed envelope labeled “Office.” All information will remain confidential and will only be shared with the office and the individuals distributing the food and gifts.

Families who sign up will need to pick up their items Dec. 20 from 9 — 11 a.m. at Brooklyn Grace United Methodist Church.

Contact the school office if you have any questions. If you are fortunate enough that you do not need this assistance, please consider giving toward the Community Angel Giving Tree located at the First State Bank in Brooklyn.

Forms must be returned to the school by Friday, Nov. 21. Submissions received after this date may not be accepted.

Both food and monetary donations are being accepted during these outreach events. All food and cash donations will be split between the Brooklyn and Malcom food pantries.

Local food resources for all Poweshiek County residences

• Hy-Vee — meals nightly — Kids 12 & under — FREE — Adults — $3, 320 West Street St., Grinnell, 641-236-6584.

• Fareway/GFC/MICA — promotion of premade food bags to purchase for MICA, 727 West St., Grinnell, 641-236-3331.

• Fareway does the food collecting and delivery.

• Grinnell Farm to Table — Pay What You Can Market — Saturdays from 1-5 p.m., 1032 Main St., Grinnell, 540-471-1647.

• Empowerment Command Center — Free Hot Meals on Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 306 Sixth Ave., Grinnell.

• BGM Backpack Program — discreetly put in lockers every Friday for students to take home for the weekend. Call BGM at 641-522-9268 to sign up.

• GFC Food Vouchers — put in BGM Backpacks. They can be redeemed at Grinnell Grocery Stores. Also available through Grinnell Ministerial Association and all local food pantries.

• Community Meal in Brooklyn — first Thursday of each month 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.: Dec. 4 at the Presbyterian Church, Jan. 8 at the Catholic Church, Feb. 5 at the Methodist Church. Email nancykayollinger@gmail.com for more information

• Brooklyn Public Library — non-perishable items available during open hours, 306 Jackson St., Brooklyn, 641-522-9272.

• Drake Public Library — non-perishable items available during open hours, 930 Park St., Grinnell, 641-236-2661.

• Montezuma Public Library — non-perishable items available during open hours, 500 E Main St., Montezuma, 641-623-3417.

• Community Meal in Grinnell — Every Thursday from 5:30 to 6 p.m., Grinnell United Methodist Church, 916 Fifth Ave., Grinnell. Email solomonr@grinnell.edu for more information.

• The Iowa Kitchen — Free Meals Every Saturday from Noon to 12:30 p.m. across from Grinnell Central Park. Email theiowakitchen.org for more information.

Local food pantries

• Brooklyn Food Pantry — Wednesdays 1 to 5 p.m. (next to Laudromat downtown Brooklyn), 130 W Front St., Brooklyn, 641-522-9283.

• Malcom Food Pantry — Thursdays from 5 to 6:45 p.m., 405 Montezuma St., Malcom, 641-990-4300.

• MICA Food Pantry — Every Monday, Tuesday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 609 Fourth Ave., Grinnell, 641-236-3923.

• Montezuma Food Pantry — Service area is the Montezuma School District and other smaller surrounding towns in Poweshiek County, 501 N. Front St., Montezuma, 641-623-3275. Monday 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesday 2-4 p.m., Thursday 4:30-6 p.m., Friday 12:30-2 p.m.

All food panties will provide emergency food if needed.