IMPACT Community Action Partnership is starting a personal hygiene pantry at its Newton location to help fill an unmet need in the county, according to coordinator Patty Sneddon, who shared shared the news Thursday with the Jasper County Board of Health.
“Earlier this year we did a community needs assessment for Jasper County and the data came back from the assessment that showed having access to a personal hygiene pantry as one of the highest needs in the county,” Sneddon said.
After receiving that data, Sneddon started work to remedy the need and following a collaboration with and donations from Black Hills Energy, Theisen's and the Jasper County Health Department formed the idea of a pantry to distribute person hygiene products.
The pantry, which is set to open on Jan. 2, will be located at IMPACT’s office, 115 N. Second Ave., in the Jasper County Annex Building and will be available to assist families who are struggling to make ends meet. Items available in the pantry include laundry detergents, soaps, hair care products, oral care products, household cleaners, feminine products among many more.
“When I try to paint a picture for individuals it is usually imagining that you are at the grocery store and all of the things that you can put in your cart that is a non-food item,” Sneddon said. “Those are all things that cannot be bought with food stamps, with government assistance and are often times the most expensive in the cart.”
Sneddon said while the pantry is located in Newton, there will be opportunities for those who live in communities outside of the county seat and are unable to travel to get products as well. Her first step will be to contact family members of those in need to see if they are available to pick up the items.
“I also do a lot of outreach work and I partner with the libraries throughout the county, so if it is a day that I will be there I can take items with me,” Sneddon said. “We know it is not feasible for everybody to make it to Newton.”
Jasper County Health Department Administrator Becky Pryor said she is excited about the new opportunity for citizens of Jasper County.
“We’ve made a donation to them for toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss,” Pryor said. “On behalf of the health department we are making the donation to help get it started.”
Sneddon said she will look for donations to keep the pantry well stocked. She is also open to having drives to fund the pantry if a community organization is interested.
“That is really great program. It will help people feel better about themselves,” board chair Margot Voshell said.
For more information about the personal hygiene pantry, contact Sneddon at 641-792-3008.
Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com
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