Stockton Food Pantry thanks the community for another year of support

The Stockton Food Pantry is sharing a big year-end “thank you” to the community and donors from across the region for food contributions, monetary gifts, and volunteer support during 2024. This includes gratitude to the Stockton Christian Church, who generously sponsors the site where the food pantry is located at 602 ½ Main Street in Stockton.

“With your support, the Stockton Food Pantry is helping families and elderly individuals in Rooks County get healthy food when they may otherwise struggle to make ends meet,” said Cathy Jones, President of the Stockton Food Pantry Board. “We have seen the monthly need for food increase in our communities, but with generous monetary gifts, grants, and food donations, we are helping fill these needs through your local food pantry.”

The Stockton Food Pantry is open for food distribution on the third Thursday of each month from 9-11 a.m. A variety of staple foods such as canned goods, cereal, flour, sugar, rice, and pasta are regularly available. A limited supply of meats and bread is also available, and seasonally, there are abundant fresh vegetables and fruits to pick up. All items are free to recipients who are asked to fill out an order form, including their name and family size.

Being part of the Kansas Food Bank system is very beneficial to our local food pantry. “Through this system, we order certain food items at no cost or a low cost. This helps hold down our expenses”, Jones continued. “And we are proud to use financial donations and grant dollars to buy additional foods locally to give away.”

The Stockton Food Pantry would also like to announce a new non-perishable food donation collection site just inside the entrance door at Stockton City Hall. It is available during City Hall business hours.

Additionally, Webster’s Supermarket, Kester Auto, and all the local Stockton churches maintain collection sites for the Stockton Food Pantry. Volunteers pick up from these locations regularly to stock the food pantry shelves.

The gratitude continues—again, in 2024, several organizations hosted special events, earmarking the proceeds to the food pantry, and families established a memorial fund in honor of a loved one for financial donations. Generous farmers and business owners donated meat to give away via the food pantry.

“More people are living on tight budgets, so every little bit helps our community, said Mike Rogers, Stockton Food Pantry board member. “As a long-time volunteer here, it’s easy to see that your support has again made it a good year. Thank you!”

About Stockton Food Pantry Stockton Food Pantry, Inc. is a Kansas non-profit corporation governed by volunteer board members. The Board Members are: Cathy Jones, President; Mike Rogers, Vice President; Corrine Dix, Secretary; and Sara Balthazor, Treasurer

Donations:

Non-perishable food donations may be dropped off at any of the sites listed above during business hours. Monetary donations may be mailed to Stockton Food Pantry, Attn: Cathy Jones, 602 ½ Main Street, Stockton, KS 67669 For special donation situations (like meat or perishable items) or with any questions, please call or text Cathy Jones at 785-737-3520 or Mike Rogers at 785-623-9348

Food Distribution:

Monthly community food distribution is on the third Thursday of each month from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Stockton Food Pantry, 602 ½ Main Street in Stockton. It is first come, first serve. There is no guarantee of quantities or availability of items.

Seasonal produce distribution is also year 'round, but the day of the month varies depending on when the shipment arrives. The type of produce available also varies depending on seasonal supply at the time of the year. Stockton Food Pantry shares this distribution date as soon as possible (typically about a week in advance) by posting fliers at the Stockton Library, City Hall, and J-Mart; and by e-mailing and texting this information to a distribution list. To be added to the distribution list, please text Cathy at 785-737-3520.