Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird tours The Fellowship Cup, applauds community-driven support

MT. PLEASANT — Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird stepped into the Fellowship Cup Friday, Jan. 10 to gain a firsthand look into how the nonprofit runs and how it has become a vital lifeline for many in Henry County.

“It’s really neat to see how something so important came out of fellowship,” Bird said, standing among shelves brimming with canned goods and freezers stocked with donated meat. “It shows why being part of a community matters so much.”

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Director Ken Brown led Bird on a thorough tour of The Fellowship Cup’s operations, explaining the intricacies of running a nonprofit that not only provides food and clothing but also cares for each individual served. As they walked through the tightly packed office space, Brown highlighted the organization’s flexibility in addressing diverse community needs.

“Season to season, we don’t know what’s going to come through the door,” Brown explained. “We don’t want to put a stop on anything. Whether it’s wheelchairs, hospital beds, or winter coats, we make sure people have what they need at no cost.”

The Fellowship Cup serves over 8,500 individuals annually through its food pantry alone, which operates primarily through support from the community.

“About 30% of our support comes from the Food Bank,” he said. “The rest is from local food drives, schools, churches, and businesses.”

Bird showed her appreciation for the dignity-preserving model of the pantry, where patrons can choose their own food items rather than receiving prepackaged boxes.

“It’s good because you have things people would actually want,” she said. “This approach really fosters community.”

Brown pointed out that many of the pantry’s volunteers have built lasting relationships with those they serve.

“That’s the faith-based side of what we do,” he said. “It’s not just about giving out food; it’s about creating connections.”

Brown explained that in addition to providing the food bank in the large room off the offices, the Fellowship Cup offers community meals and education through programs like Bridges Out of Poverty in the space. Additionally, the room is used as a bit of a community space for events like baby showers.

From the food pantry, Brown led Bird to The Quarter Maybe More Store, a thrift shop that plays a crucial role in funding The Fellowship Cup’s programs. The store offers everything from clothing to household goods. When the Fellowship Cup might not have household or clothing items that individuals may need, they can provide vouchers for those people to shop at the Quarter Store.

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Brown with Bird shared how the store adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic, ultimately leading to a surprising boost in revenue.

“We found that opening two hours later, we made more money,” he said. “It was just crazy because people were waiting, and so we kept those hours. Even when we had to close for three months, we were able to pay our staff without hurting our budget.”

Bird praised the store’s community-driven model and its ability to coexist with larger competitors like Goodwill.

“It’s a great spot, and it’s great that you own it,” she said. “This kind of local effort strengthens the whole town.”

Beyond providing affordable goods, The Quarter Maybe More Store helps foster economic stability in Mt. Pleasant by attracting shoppers to the downtown area. Brown noted that the store’s central location is key.

“You have the post office, public health, and other services right here,” he said. “People can come to the store, then walk over to the pantry or vice versa. It’s convenient and keeps everything accessible.”

Throughout the tour, Bird expressed her appreciation for the Fellowship Cup’s approach to community support. Drawing from her experience as a lifelong Iowan and former Guthrie County prosecutor, she highlighted the importance of local initiatives in addressing complex social issues.

“It’s clear that you rely a lot on volunteers,” Bird said. “That’s what makes this so special.”

Following the tour, Bird shared some of the initiatives her office has undertaken to support communities across Iowa. One such program is the newly launched cold case unit aimed at solving the state’s 400-plus unsolved homicides.

“We work with all levels of law enforcement — county attorneys, sheriffs, local police, even the FBI,” she said. “If this unit solves just one case, it’s all worth it.”

She also touched on her office’s consumer protection efforts, particularly around preventing scams targeting seniors.

“People lose a lot of money to scams, and it’s heartbreaking,” Bird said. “We’ve been able to stop scammers before people send money. It’s incredibly rewarding when we can intervene.”

Before departing, Bird assured Brown that her office would reach out with resources on scam prevention and consider scheduling a presentation for the community.

“If there’s ever anything we can do to help, please let us know,” she said. “That’s why we make a point to get out of Des Moines and visit communities. We want to build relationships and learn how we can support local efforts.”

As Bird reflected on her visit, she emphasized the importance of grassroots organizations like The Fellowship Cup.

“When you see what they do, you can see why people drop off nice things for people to buy,” she said. “It’s going to be well taken care of, it’s going to go to someone who needs it, and it’s going to make money for all these other good things. That’s awesome.”

For Brown and his team, Bird’s visit served as a reminder of the vital role local nonprofits play in strengthening Iowa’s communities.

“About 44 years ago, it started with a small group,” Brown said. “What we’re doing now is a testament to how far we’ve come, and we’re inspired to keep it going.”

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com