More Marion Residents in Need of Emergency Food

The time of giving has been good for Darrel Gire.

The 71-year-old volunteer coordinator for the Churches of Marion Food Pantry is pleased to say that his pantry is not only stocked during the busy holiday season, but they’ve run out of places to store the excess donations, which is now in the basement of the old Marion Carnegie library. 

He said other food pantries in the area have a problem keeping their food pantries stocked, especially during Christmas, where they see the highest volume of clients in need of emergency food.

But what is rare about this particular food bank is that their shelves are never empty. 

The fact that they are never empty is even more surprising, when you consider that they have seen a dramatic increase in demand this year.

“It used to be if we had thirty in an afternoon that would be a lot,” he said. “Yesterday we had 67 families. There was a line — they were piled clear out the alley.”

Gire said he’s seen a lot of new clients this year. Many come after loosing their job and emptying their savings. He said it is common for people to blow through their savings and unemployment benefits before asking for help. It’s shame that stops them from coming earlier, he said.   

He guesses he won't see these numbers drop until unemployment does.

Support

Thanks to a coalition of 11 area churches donating food and money, the food pantry has a much larger backing than some of the food banks and pantries in Cedar Rapids, which Gire said may be the reason why they are seeing a ratio of around 3 to 1 Cedar Rapids residents over Marion residents.

“Other food pantries are not always supported by large churches,” said volunteer Jim Whitteaker. “And Marion is a pretty big town, very wealthy.”

Still, Gire made sure to say that though they have a surplus of food, they can still use more donations. Fresh items like meat, produce and canned goods always go fast, so if you feel like donating, no one is going to stop you.

If you are finding yourself in a financial crunch, don’t feel ashamed to stop by the Churches of Marion Food Pantry, in the back of the . If you can’t pay your bills and feed you or your family, there is nothing wrong with asking for help. The pantry is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 3 p.m.

“The guy I got the job from, he always said: “I am not the judge and the jury,” Gire said.