The Community of Concern Food Pantry has been supporting families throughout the region for 40 years and Director, Roxie Reinart, says the need for their services is more critical than ever.
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Reinart says they have provided food and necessary household and personal hygiene items to around 2,000 people so far this year, with 80 of those in just the last month. She adds their services are not income-based.
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She says they are actually also conducting the entire process on the phone due to COVID concerns. People can call 712-792-5150 for a short interview and then get help with their groceries. Reinart says at the rate prices at the store are increasing, she doesn’t even want to project what that level of need will be in the region come holiday time. One local resident, Luanne Kustra, and her daughter, Katie, began a drive in 2005 to support the Community of Concern. Kustra says they have only missed a couple of years in all that time, and last year was one.
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Katie is grown now and has moved with her husband and three children to Indianola and is volunteering in that community. Luanne, however, continues to operate the Stuff the Bus event and has plans already in place for the annual food drive.
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Reinart says they hand out balanced meals, and this includes boxed and canned goods as well as frozen foods. Obviously, they cannot accept frozen foods at a food drive, but monetary donations help them stock up on those items. She adds they also try to keep some dish soap, shampoo, body wash, etc. on hand as well. She says there is no wrong item to donate, anything people can provide can help them fill their shelves and it is all greatly appreciated. Kustra says she has a lot of friends and acquaintances who help out, but she is always in need of more volunteers.
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Kustra says any amount of time people can spare to help out is appreciated and those interested can call her at 712-790-5244. Those unable to make a donation to the Stuff the Bus event at Hy-Vee on Dec. 4 can drop them off at Community of Concern, 322 W. 3rd St.