The Perry community dealt with extreme circumstances throughout 2024, but it allowed one organization to offer a helping hand.

According to Perry Food Pantry Manager Lou Hoger, the organization saw a record number of people receiving assistance following major events such as the school shooting and the closure of the Tyson Foods Pork Plant last year. He details that the food pantry served more than 2,000 people in 633 households, almost double compared to 2022, where they helped 376 households. Hoger is humbled to have gracious amounts of support from residents.

“We’ve been able, fortunately, to meet those needs, primarily because of the strong contribution base that has supported the food pantry, and we can’t thank people enough. Individuals, corporations, churches, (and) businesses. It’s just been tremendous. And some of the grants we’ve received that have helped support us and made us able to do what is needed.”

Although it was a historic number of people receiving food, Hoger expresses that approximately 70 percent of residents stopped by the food pantry between one and three times a month, and only six percent frequently visited between 10 and 12 times a month. He adds that there were 5,000 pounds of donated commodities with food and personal hygiene items between Quikstar, HyVee Bakery, and the Food Bank of Iowa. Hoger says that the food pantry had some major monetary contributions from Raccoon Valley Bank, who gave $2,500 and $25,000 given by First Interstate Bank.