|
Food pantry finishes merger, move
by Gregory R. Norfleet · News · July 03, 2024
“We took a selfie last night,” West Branch Food Pantry volunteer Carol Jones said on June 26.
The volunteers bid farewell to the organization’s fifth location since its inception in 1980 before moving to 225 North Maple — the old West Branch Middle School — to finish merging with the West Branch (Bear) Paw Pantry.
Husbands of the volunteers, West Branch Lions Club members, and others needed only a short time to haul away several shelving units, boxes, and a corkboard in pickup trucks.
“I’m in a throwing (away) mood,” food pantry volunteer Deb Patty smiled.
The pantry folks already moved the food to the new location, which sped up the effort. Patty said just a couple of requests turned up the crowd.
“We called a few people and it kind of blossomed,” she said.
The West Branch Food Pantry previously occupied spots at Cookson Memorial Home, West Branch Fire Department, the West Branch Parks and Recreation office, and the new City Hall before the Town Hall annex, Jones said.
The narrow spaces inside the annex got small updates over the years, like an air-conditioning unit, a handicapped-accessible exit installed by Mayor Roger Laughlin, and wood paneling that covered up large water pipes. Those became deep shelving.
West Branch Paw Pantry occupies a double-sized science classroom, giving the merged agency space for everything from the downtown spot.
“It’s such a wonderful advantage” to have more room,” Patty said. “I’m tickled pink!”
Jones noted that the volunteers have gotten to know a lot of the families that utilize their services and enjoy seeing them around town.
Patty said many of those families said “Wow” to the new space, which includes refrigerators and freezers they did not have before.
That gives them room to offer meat, milk, eggs, and produce.
“I’m happy with where we’re going,” Patty said.
The merged agencies will call themselves the West Branch Food Pantry to show that anyone, not just schoolchildren, can get food as well as cleaning supplies, toilet paper, paper towels, and other items.
Just before leaving the downtown location, Patty pointed to a clock on the wall which someone donated: “I’m donating that” by leaving it behind, she joked.
The West Branch Food Pantry is open 4 to 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday, second Thursday, and third Wednesday of the month, as well as the fourth Saturday.
For more information, you may call 319-643-3374 or 319-643-2881.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
