The Beatrice Community Pantry is gearing up for the holiday season and accepted a large donation on Friday.
Beatrice Health and Rehabilitation staff members collectively donated more than 1,000 pounds of items to the pantry this year. It gave the pantry 500 pounds of items in January and the second 500 pounds this week.
Kailey Mustin, Beatrice Health and Rehabilitation activities director, said the donations far exceeded the initial goal of 100 pounds, and they eventually decided to try for the 1,000-pound mark.
“It was our goal after talking to (Karen Mains, pantry director) and hearing all the good work she does and all the shortages she goes through, we wanted to try and make it 1,000 pounds in one year with our team,” Mustin said. “I just hung signs and waited. It was really our staff that went above and beyond and everything that she does for the community.
“I think it’s incredibly impressive. We only employ a little over 100 people and for 100 people to donate 1,000 pounds of food in one year is humungous.”
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Mains said that summer is typically the busiest time of year for the pantry since school is out, but there’s a need all year.
“We always need personal items, toilet paper, paper towels, detergent, shampoo is really a big item,” Mains said. “Practically everybody asks for shampoo. The people who get food stamps can’t use that money to buy any of the personal items. I have to buy a lot of that so I’m always happy to see those items come in.”
Mains added the pantry served more than 5,000 people last year and is currently doing an “In gathering” drive where people can leave sacks of items on their front porch to be picked up Saturday. Items will be picked up starting at 10 a.m.
Donations can also be made at the pantry, located in the basement of St. John Lutheran Church at 701 N. Sixth St. Items for donation can be left on the table in the basement.
