County Commissioners discuss helping food pantries in the county

Marshall County Commissioners are considering using some of their remaining American Rescue Plan (ARP) Funds to help food pantries in the county.

Christine Garner, Executive Director of the Marshall County Neighborhood Center, presented the County Commissioners with information about their need for more funds to give food to the residents of Marshall County.

Terri Brant, Director of the Bread of Life Food Pantry, was also present and joined the discussion on how to get funds for a food pantry in each of the towns in the county. 

During the discussion, each commissioner made a recommendation on their spending.  Commissioner Stan Klotz suggested $60,000. $10,000 each for the Neighborhood Center and Bread of Life Food Pantries in Plymouth. He also suggested $10,000 each for the food pantries in Argos, Bremen, Bourbon, and Culver. Commissioner Kevin Overmyer suggested helping all the pantries with $75,000 to $100,000 and Commissioner Mike Burroughs suggested $100,000.

The ARP Funds were given to the county from the federal government but there are stipulations so the commissioners can only use the funds to pay a vendor meaning the commissioners can’t just give money to the pantries. The funds must be under contract by the end of this year and must be spent by the end of 2025.  ARP Funds cannot be used as a grant match either. 

All of the pantries in Marshall County except the Neightborhood Center accept food donations from the Food Bank of Northern Indiana and thus can’t ask clients for proof of where they live or how many live in their homes.  The Neighborhood Center purchases its food primarily from Aldi and accepts food from Cultivate. They require proof of residency and only serve Marshall County ctizens.  They also require proof of address for all household members.  

The commissioners are considering creating a contract with Aldi so the Neighborhood Center can use funds designated for them.  During Monday’s conversation they also talked about making a contract with Woodies in Bremen for the Bremen pantry, Park n Shop in Culver for the Culver pantry, and maybe Aldi for Argos and Bourbon. 

Commissioner Overmyer will work with Garner and Brant contacting the pantries in Marshall County to determine their needs before their first meeting in November.   

It was learned that the Bread of Life Food Pantry needs a larger commercial freezer.  The used one they have isn’t working. A new one should be between $3,000 and $4,000 and Overmyer would like to purchase one for them using ARP Funds.  Their director is looking for options.

The commissioners will continue their discussion at their next meeting on November 4.