As is becoming the case every month, the Stuart Cottage Pantry was busy once again in April.

137 families totaling 357 individuals received food from the pantry last month.  This included 12 home deliveries.

104 volunteer hours, seven of those coming from West Central Valley students, were given by area residents to assist the pantry with its efforts in April.

The pantry has been successful recently in obtaining some items it had previously not been able to get from the Iowa Food Bank in Des Moines, however, Director Marlis Beeler says there are still some items needed at this time.

Those items include jam and jelly, bar, dish and laundry soap, shampoo, and paper products such as Kleenex.

A reminder to area residents who receive food or volunteer at the pantry, the organization is now open every Wednesday from 1:30 to 5pm, but it is no longer open every other Saturday.

If any community members would like to donate food or time to help the pantry this summer, call Beeler at 515-523-1301.