The Cass County Food Policy Council has revamped a Facebook page to provide up-to-date information on Cass County food pantries. The page, Cass County Iowa Local Food, Farmers Markets, and Food Access, also provides information on farmers markets, and other local food opportunities. Cass County Supervisor Steve Green says “During this time, it’s really important that people in the county are aware of resources available because we don’t
want anyone going hungry.”

Cass County is home to four food pantries: the Atlantic Food Pantry, the Anita Food Pantry, the Lord’s Cupboard (in Griswold), and Cumberland Care & Share Pantry. As our pantries have faced COVID-19, they have adjusted their services, and are likely to continue doing so. For example, the Atlantic pantry is not requiring referrals during COVID-19.

Green says “It’s great that we are getting up-to-date information out to people online, but we also need people to check in on each other—particularly elderly neighbors—to make sure they know how to access food through the pantries.” For more information, follow Cass County Iowa Local Food, Farmers Markets, and Food Access on Facebook or contact Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh at 712-249-5870 or by email at bhoegh@iastate.edu.

Cass County Food Pantry Information:
Please note: Pantries are asking Cass County residents to only use the pantry in their home community (For example, if someone is from Atlantic, they are asked to use the Atlantic pantry, not use the Cumberland, Anita, or Griswold pantries). This will help pantries to be able serve everyone better in this difficult time.

Food Delivery: If you need food delivered to your home because you are quarantined due to COVID-19, please call your pantry at least two days in advance of the pantry’s open hours. See below for phone numbers.

Anita Food Pantry: (serves Anita, Massena, Cumberland, Wiota, and Bridgewater.)
Phone: (712) 762-3645; Address: 208 Chestnut St, Anita, IA 50020
Hours: 1st & 3rd Saturday, 9:00am – 11:00am

Distribution: Items will be carried to cars. People are asked to follow signs and not get out of cars. The pantry will function like a drive through.

Donations: make checks to “Anita Food Pantry” (mail to: PO Box 96, Anita, IA 50020)

Cumberland Care & Share Pantry: (serves Cumberland, Massena, Bridgewater)
Phone: (712) 774-5818; Address: 317 Monroe St, Cumberland, IA 50843
Hours: 1st & 3rd Wednesday, 4:00pm- 5:30pm

Donations: make checks to “Cumberland Care & Share” (mail to: 317 Monroe St, Cumberland, IA 50843)

Lord’s Cupboard of Griswold (serves Griswold School District)
Phone: (712) 778-4178; Address: 100 Cass St., Griswold, IA 51535
Hours: 2nd and 4th Tuesday, 11:00am – 2:00pm

Donations: make checks out to “The Lord’s Cupboard” (mail to 55546 Wichita Rd. Griswold, IA 51535)

Atlantic Food Pantry: (serves Atlantic)
Phone for Atlantic pantry delivery requests: (712) 249-3026 (Stacey Weis)
Phone for other pantry questions: (712) 243-5019 (9-11 AM Mondays and Thursdays)
Address: 19 W. 4th St., Atlantic, IA 50022
Hours: Thursdays, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (or until line ends- please show up at 1:00)

Food Referrals will not be needed, and clients may come to the pantry as needed during this epidemic time.

Distribution: The pantry’s usual choice options and individual face-to-face interviews will be discontinued at this time. Food will be distributed in an “express” fashion with sacks pre-prepared inside the pantry to limit wait time and reduce traffic inside the pantry building. Distribution to clients will occur outside the front door of the pantry. Only pantry volunteers will be allowed inside the pantry.

Donations: make checks to “Atlantic Food Pantry” (mail to: 19 W 4th Street. Atlantic, IA 50022). Someone will be at the pantry to accept money or food donations Monday and Thursday mornings from 9-11 AM.

The pantry is currently giving out certain foods, so they are asking that food donations focus on the following items: Soup (cream of chicken, cream of mushroom, chicken noodle, tomato), Ramen noodles (chicken, beef), Hamburger Helper, canned beef ravioli, instant sides (packages)- pasta and sauce or potatoes, cereal (in boxes), corn muffin mix, bread, crackers (saltines), canned fruit (peaches, pears, applesauce, cocktail), canned tuna,
macaroni and cheese, canned vegetables (corn, green beans, peas), peanut butter (18 oz. creamy), quick oats, “complete pancake and waffle mix (no milk needed), syrup, bar soap, toilet paper.