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This Year's Project: The Future of Food Access in Gage County
About Our Organization
Recently, the Beatrice Community Food Pantry moved to its new location in the lower level of the City Auditorium! We have been humbled by the generosity of this community, with individuals and organizations providing in-kind support to partially cover costs of renovation to this new space; however, additional support through this Big Give campaign would go a long way toward covering final renovation and moving costs.
This year (2023) marks 51 years of the Beatrice Community Food Pantry being a 501c3 non-profit ministry of compassion, justice, and outreach when and where the need arises in our community. Our mission over this past half-century has been to help the people of Gage County access food and emergency services with dignity. While that mission will remain unchanged into the future, our organization recognizes and appreciates the rising incidence of food insecurity and how that impacts both the health of individuals and the well-being of our community as a whole.
Being a coalition of 25+ churches that provide assistance in the form of volunteers, food donations, monetary donations, and community awareness, our organization is uniquely equipped to respond to the increased need shown in recent years. The assistance we provide to individuals and families includes monetary aid for housing, electrical bills, gas, and hotel stays for those who qualify, in addition to the monthly food, hygiene, and household essentials given to those in need.
With the rise in grocery, gas, housing, and general cost-of-living expenses, our organization has seen a significant increase in individuals and families seeking supplemental support. Our total clients served doubled in five of the first six months of 2022 compared to those same months in 2021, and 2023 numbers show a continued rise in clientele month by month.
Additionally, this year our pantry has taken on over 100 new clients to-date who are accessing our services for the very first time, with an average of 17 new clients expected to be added each month for the remainder of this calendar year. In a county where almost 3000 residents, or 1 in 8 of our neighbors, experience a lack of consistent access to enough food at any given time, there is a demonstrated need for a pantry that is capable of growing and adapting.
The Beatrice Community Food Pantry is open every Monday & Thursday from 9am to 12pm and 1pm to 4pm, as well as the last Tuesday afternoon of every month. We have 18 board members and over 65 volunteers who carry out our mission to feed the masses each and every month.
Current Project: The Future of Food Access in Gage County
In 2022, our board determined a new, larger space was needed to continue to be responsive throughout the 2020s and beyond. So, in addition to feeding individuals and families in need, we will utilize donations from this year's campaign to cover final costs for renovations that will allow for safe, efficient food distribution at our new location in the lower level of the City Auditorium (previously occupied by Beatrice Fire & Rescue). With an overhead door, large parking lot, and location within a community space, this location is well-suited to our needs. Our organization and the City of Beatrice came to an agreement that was adopted on July 5th, 2022 outlining a lease granting the pantry use of over 3000 square feet along the south side of the City Auditorium’s lower level. This more than doubles the square footage of the pantry from what was available at our previous location. As part of this lease agreement, the pantry was allowed to make necessary structural changes to the 3000-square-foot space at our own expense. With the help of countless community members and organizations, we were able to construct a new facility that will carry on our 51-year tradition of serving those in need in the Beatrice-area for many decades to come. We have appreciated partnering with community organizations and passionate individuals to see this project through and look forward to wrapping things up with the help of this Big Give campaign!
The Future of Food Access in Gage County
Project Wrap Up
Please see our 2023 project description for updates on the new pantry location! We are forever grateful to those who have supported this move in any way they could/can.
Project Details
While we are grateful to St. John Lutheran Church for the use of their facilities over the past 50 years, we have determined that a new, larger space is needed to continue to be responsive throughout the 2020s and beyond. So, in addition to feeding individuals and families in need, we will utilize donations from this year's campaign to make structural changes that allow for safe, efficient food distribution at our newly secured location in the lower level of the City Auditorium (previously occupied by Beatrice Fire & Rescue). With an overhead door, large parking lot, and location within a community space, this location is well-suited to our needs. Our organization and the City of Beatrice came to an agreement that was adopted on July 5th, 2022 outlining a lease granting the pantry use of over 3000 square feet along the south side of the City Auditorium’s lower level. This more than doubles the square footage of the pantry from what is available at St. John Lutheran Church. As part of this lease agreement, the pantry is allowed to make necessary structural changes to the 3000-square-foot space at our own expense. We are committed to constructing a new facility that will carry on our 50-year tradition of serving those in need in the Beatrice-area for many decades to come. We look forward to continuing to partner with community organizations and passionate individuals to see this project through. Please see images for the current blueprint (subject to change as we continue to look for ways to make this an efficient and cost-effective endeavor). Note: The most costly changes needing to be made to the space will be bringing the floor to one level and installing new electrical to support the use of our 10’x14’ walk-in cooler and multiple upright and chest freezers for safe storage of pantry items.
Feed the Masses
Project Wrap Up
With your donations we were able to continue providing access to food for the people of Gage County in need.
Project Details
The Beatrice Community Food Pantry is solely supported by donations of food, time and monetary gifts. We provide food to over 300 people per month. Persons are able to use the pantry services once every 30 days. Donations will be used to purchase perishable items and/or other needed items that are out of stock. Some of the items we are always in need of are: peanut butter, jelly, pancake flour, pancake syrup, dish and laundry detergent, bars of soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, all fruits, hamburger, chicken and tuna helper, sugar and flour, mayo, oil, saltine crackers, graham crackers, and healthy kid snacks.
Feed the Masses
Project Wrap Up
With your donations we were able to continue providing access to food for the people of Gage County in need.
Project Details
The Beatrice Community Food Pantry is solely supported by donations of food, time and monetary gifts. We provide food to over 5000 people per year. Persons are able to use the pantry services once every 30 days. Donations will be used to purchase perishable items and or other needed items that are out of stock. Some of the items we are always in need of are: peanutbutter, jelly, pancake flour, pancake syrup, dish and laundry detergent, bars of soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, all fruits, hamburger, chicken and tuna helper, sugar and flour, mayo, oil, saltine crackers, graham crackers, and healthy kid snacks.
To read how COVID-19 has affected the food supply in Gage County:
https://beatricedailysun.com/news/local/community-food-pantry-receives-increase-in-donations/article_e1fd4193-f101-58b4-94b7-fb904d78f5b1.html
https://www.newschannelnebraska.com/story/41942416/demand-on-local-food-pantry-is-on-the-rise
Feed The Masses
Project Wrap Up
With your donations we were able to continue providing access to food for the people of Gage County in need.
Project Details
The Beatrice Community Food Pantry is solely supported by donations of food, time, and monetary gifts. We provide food to over 5000 people per year. Persons are able to use the pantry services once every 30 days. Donations will be used to purchase perishable items and/or other needed items that are out of stock. Some of the items we are always in need of are: peanut butter, jelly, pancake flour, pancake syrup, dish and laundry detergent, bars of soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, all fruits, hamburger, chicken and tuna helper, sugar and flour, mayo, oil, saltine crackers, graham crackers, and healthy kid snacks.