A different way: free food – take what you need. Give what you can.
Heartland is proud to partner with the Food Closet at New Beginnings Christian Church! We are happy to add this organization to our recipients of food donations.
Our decision to support the Food Closet is based on the following information:
*The Food Bank of Iowa recently reported that one in nine Iowans and 15.4% of Iowa children (1 in 6) face food insecurity. That is according to the latest annual Map the Meal Gap study. Iowa has not experienced food insecurity this high since 2017. Polk County’s overall food insecurity rate is 10.2%. Among children, it’s 15.9%. The 50,530 people affected by hunger in Polk County (including 19,180 children) comprise about 15% of the state’s overall food insecure population. Also, for the second summer, Iowa has declined a 29 million dollar grant from the federal government for a summer feeding program for students. Governor Reynolds has, instead, created a $900,000 program. This existing program did not feed nearly as many Iowa students.
*The Food Closet at New Beginnings is a different kind of food assistance. The Food Closet is open to anyone 24 hours a day with no questions asked. Their motto is “Take what you need. Give what you can.” People needing food are at an all-time high and many need our help. Most food pantries only allow 3 days supply of food in a month and may not be open when people are able to go to them, so there is a need for food at other times during the month.
Please consider helping in any way but most-needed food includes:
- Milk – half gallons
- Canned Tuna
- Mac +Cheese
- Canned Chicken
- Eggs
- Bread
- Fresh fruit – apples, tangerines
- Bottled water
- Ramen
- Chips – single serving bags
- Canned veggies
- Canned SpaghettiOs and ravioli
- Soup
- Pudding cups
- Fruit cups
- Coffee
Other items commonly needed include:
- Toilet Paper
- Body wash
- Feminine hygiene items
The Food Closet is located at the back of New Beginnings Church, 8631 Hickman Rd. The church is in the previous Sam and Gabe’s building, just west of Perkins. Food can be donated there anytime – if coming from the west on Hickman, turn left or north at Patricia Drive just before Git n Go. After passing Git n Go, the small sign for New Beginnings will be on the right. Turn right (east) into the drive. Pull up to the back of the church, find the large sign “FOOD,” and enter the closest!
Non-refrigerated items can also be donated by placing them in the white basket in the church. The basket is marked “24 Hour Food Closet (Take what you need. Give what you can)!” If donating refrigerated items, place them in the refrigerator and put a note in the white basket stating it is there. All donations will then be delivered by a mission committee member.
The Food Closet is unlocked 24 hours a day. If you have extra food, there is a refrigerated case to accommodate milk, eggs or anything needing to be kept cold. There are shelves to accommodate canned items, bread, or anything else.
Please consider donating food or other items on the list to the Food Closet! Remember their motto: TAKE WHAT YOU NEED. GIVE WHAT YOU CAN!