Another year and another increase of usage at the food pantry in Jefferson.

Greene County Action Resource Center (ARC) Manager Shirley Haupert says there was a monthly average of 151 families totaling 360 individuals for April-June last year, compared to April-June of this year, the average is 170 families for a total average of 460 individuals that come to the pantry. She believes that especially in the summertime, families rely more on them to help, along with the school district to provide its free meal program.

“I think they definitely would need our help or appreciate that help because the school helps out a lot, but I’ll tell ya, when you’ve got kids 24/7 it’s different than just having them just at night or something like that. Kids are hungry all of the time.” 

Haupert points out that they also accept clothing donations for especially youth.

“Kids need school clothes and we definitely accept donations of clothing and shoes. We have so few things on our rack for kiddos from age five to ten. I mean, we’re lucky if we have four or five shirts that are hanging up. Clothing is expensive and that could be something if people are going through their closets or their kid’s drawers and say, ‘Hey, you’ve out grown this,’ or ‘You know what? I think it’s time for a new one (shirt).’ We will gladly accept clothes in good condition.”

Haupert adds that along with other food donations, they will also accept fresh summer produce to give to their growing client list. She suggests fresh produce donations from gardens to arrange a time either Wednesday evening or Thursday morning before the pantry opens from 9-11:30am on Thursdays. Contact the ARC at 515-386-8262 to make those arrangements.