Crosstimbers Food Pantry Endowed Fund

Goal: $1,205.00

Specific Need

Our endowment goal is to have a longterm plan for operational expenses at the food pantry.  We will be building a new facility to address, food insecurities, nutrition and health, healthier food choices, and increase in physical activity in the near future.  As the food pantry relies soley on grants and fundraising, the endowed funds will grow and ensure our financial stability in the future.

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Over the last ten years, Crosstimbers Food Pantry has led our community in addressing issues of food insecurity.  Today, we work with Blue Cross & Blue Shield Pathways to a Healthy Kansas, Communities Organized to Promote Equity (COPE), Community Health Clinics of Southeast Kansas, and several other local churches to enhance the quality of life in our community and decrease poor health outcomes.  This is done by providing healthy food choices, fresh fruits and vegetables, and access to medical professionals monthly. 

This service is hosted by Crosstimbers Community Church in Edna, Kansas; but it is supported and assisted by individuals and organizations from within and outside of the Edna area.  It is a united outreach of those who have a heart to help others. We are known in our community to assist others beyond food and we field many phone calls from community members to help others.

Mission

 Our mission is to improve the lives of those who have food insecurities in our community.

Profile

Crosstimbers Food Pantry Outreach Center

New building coming soon!

Our pantry numbers continue to increase monthly and we are reaching capacity in our food storage area and freezer and cooler space.  Not only do we give out a pantry box each month, but we are also an official location for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), otherwise known as Commodities.  Deliveries of food for both of these programs happen on separate days, but are handed out on the same day.  Additional food is ordered each month to cover the increase in participation in the food pantry program.

Prior to COVID, guests were able to come to the fellowship hall and choose the food in the categories provided.  Since COVID, we pack the boxes and place them in the vehicles.  We have grown enough now that we would not be able to have people come back into the building due to space constraints.  Our current set up requires that we move pallets of pre-boxed food, ice chest coolers of frozen items, and flats of fresh fruit and vegetables outdoors in order to load vehicles. Weather can be challenging some months as the food pantry is open the 3^rd Thursday of every month: rain or shine, hot or cold. 

The church purchased nearly three city blocks in the city of Edna, Kansas to build an outreach center to house the food pantry, a warehouse for food storage, a commercial kitchen, and a meeting area.  This new facility will improve the efficiency of the pantry by not having to move the food constantly for distribution and will also provide adequate space for guests to choose their pantry boxes once again.  The facility will also be organized for healthy choice and a flow of fresh fruits and vegetables.  

Many organizations are eager to partner with us once the new outreach center is built to offer classes and services.  Programs will include medical services, cooking classes, exercise classes, after school programs, workforce programs, and more!