Winter is getting closer and closer, meaning the busy times for food pantries are fast approaching.

The Guthrie County Food Pantry in Guthrie Center needs the community’s help. Director Rhonda Huggins says that the pantry desperately needs food items to be ready for the less fortunate people. She tells Raccoon Valley Radio just how dire the situation is.

“There’s still a week and a half left in this month, and I don’t order food from the Food Bank (of Iowa) until the last week of the month, and I don’t get it until November. And our shelves are very bare.”

Huggins mentions that the last few deliveries from the Food Bank didn’t have all the items she had asked for, including eggs, and that this month has seen a larger amount of visits than usual. She says that on average, there are usually 30-35 visits from county residents in October, but that this month there have been 43 so far.

Huggins mentions that donations of any shelf stable or freezer items would be greatly appreciated. Shelf stable items include canned fruits, vegetables and soups; crackers, bread, snack items, noodles and instant potatoes, while freezer items could include meats, frozen dinners and frozen vegetables. Huggins says that the food pantry will accept almost anything that is donated at this time.

To make a donation, visit the New Opportunities office in Guthrie Center City Hall at 400 State Street, Monday through Friday from 9am to 3pm. Huggins says that if those interested in donating are unable to make it in during that time frame, call them at 641-747-3845 and they can try to have someone available after hours