Food pantry usage continues to rise

     Marilyn Schneiderman with the Monticello Food Pantry recently shared some numbers and statistics related to the recent increase in usage of the food pantry.

   From Oct. 1, 2022, through Sept. 30, 2023, the food pantry received a total of 39,835 pounds of food from the HACAP Food Reservoir. The total value of that much food comes to $70,675.13. The food pantry’s cost was $5,870.37.

   In October 2022, the food pantry served 60 families and 185 individuals. A year later, in October 2023, they served 89 families and 282 individuals.

   “That’s up from September with 71 families and 224 individuals,” noted Schneiderman. “We had 10 new families.”

   Usage of the Monticello Food Pantry is based on the honor system. Schneiderman said they do ask for residency because those who use the food pantry must live within the Monticello Community School District or have children in the district.

   “If they live outside of the district,” offered Schneiderman, “we refer them to the Jones County Community Food Bank in Anamosa.”

   Every October, the Scouts of Troop 66 offer “Scouting for Food,” where they collect donations for the Monticello Food Pantry.

   In October 2022, the Scouts collected 2,843 pounds of food. This October, they collected 2,206 pounds.

   Donations made to the Monticello Food Pantry can be sent to the Monticello Ministerial Association (MMA), P.O. Box 62, Monticello, IA 52310. MMA is a 501(c)3, so any donations are tax deductible.