Because of the suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to the shutdown of the federal government, GreeneCountyNewsOnline readers have asked how they can best support the Greene County Christian Action Resource Center food pantry.
Food pantry director Shirley Haupert shares that monetary donations can be sent to Greene County Christian ARC at 1006 N. Vine St, Jefferson, IA 50129.
Persons who want to drop off a monetary or food donation are asked to call ahead at 515-386-8262 (leave a message) to arrange a drop off time on either Tuesday or Wednesday. She is typically there those mornings, but a call ahead will assure she’ll be there.
Donations of basic food are always welcome – chili beans, pork and beans, canned chicken noodle and tomato soup, canned fruits, toilet paper, toothpaste, shampoo and other items are always welcome.
The food pantry is also accepting donations of used winter clothing including coats for adults, boots, sweatshirts, and kids’ clothing of all kinds.
A shipment arrives by truck from the Food Bank of Iowa twice a month. It takes about an hour to unload the shipment, “but a few extra hands to unload would be welcome. That would be a good way to help out,” Haupert said.
The food pantry is open for clients Thursday mornings, and Haupert prefers to reserve that time to help clients. She added that as of Nov. 2 she is not planning additional hours, but she is sometimes available to help a family on a day other than Thursday.
“We have seen our numbers climb slowly this summer and fall. There was no big surge last Thursday, as the news alluded to,” Haupert said. “The SNAP issue will definitely affect some of our people, but not all,” she continued. “Greene County residents are very generous with us and we get people in need food. A bigger impact for them is paying bills – utility, rent, medical – and donations to the Salvation Army or Good Samaritan fund deals with those issues.”
