The local food pantry in Jefferson continues to remain busy, as attention turns toward the holiday season.

Greene County Action Resource Center Manager Shirley Haupert says while they haven’t seen much of an impact on the one-third to one-half of their clientele that utilizes the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the funding draining away, they have stayed steadily busy. She states that last year at this time, the ARC served about 35 families and now they are up to 40-45 families per week, which is a total of 200 individuals that results in 800 people per month that use the food pantry, all of which have signed up through Greene County New Opportunities. 

“I do want to mention that we serve just Greene County residents. We are only open on Thursday mornings from 9-11:30am. We’re not open to people from Dallas County, Polk County, or wherever. That’s one of the issues that we hear from other food pantries is they’re open all the time, anytime, anyone can come and that’s not what we do here.”

Haupert appreciates all of the support that they have received recently, including getting 700 canned foods from the youth groups of five local churches in October, and there is a food drive happening currently at New Hope and New Opportunities in Jefferson. 

Additionally, Jefferson Telecom is matching dollar-for-dollar contributions from other businesses, up to $500 per business, for a total match of $2,500 to the food pantry. Jefferson Telecom General Manager Jamie Daubendiek hopes this inspires other businesses to give to the food pantry as a way to partner together to make a meaningful difference. Monetary donations can be made via mail to 1006 North Vine Street in Jefferson or by contacting the food pantry at 515-386-8262 to arrange a time on Tuesday or Wednesday morning.