Program for January 22, 2018: Cathie Rochau and the Quad Cities Airport
Invocation:
Rotary News: Marv Krieger shared a Rotary Moment telling us all about how Rotary has grown and changed. Erika read Jennifer Stahle's name for a new member first reading. Naomi De Winter has been busy scheduling a Rotary evening meeting for February 1, 2018. We will meet at the Merrill Hotel at 4:00 -5:30 to have a private tour. The limit is 50 so let Erika know if you would like to bring a friend. This meeting will replace the regular Monday meeting.. so no meeting on Monday, January 29, 2018. We will go over to Wine Nutz after the tour for some great social Rotarian time. On February 1, our Rotary Club will be 98 years old. Happy Rotary Birthday to us!!
Program: Bill Dyar of the Muscatine Food Pantry gave an update on the Food Pantry. Persons interested in volunteering or making donations may contact Bill at 316-215-4044. The Food Pantry is in the back of the Muscatine County Community Services Building in the parking lot area. This is the old Post Office and is across the street from MCSA. Bill has been with the Food Bank for the last 3.5 years. The purpose of the food bank is to provide access and supplemental support to persons in Muscatine. The Pantry is open MWF from 8-10:30 am. The food pantry is now serving about 150 persons while last year it was 60-70. In 2016 19,000 people were served or about 52,000 family members. In 2017 22,000 individuals were served and about 75,000 family members. The food pantry does not receive United Way, city or government funding. The County provides the pantry location and storage. In the near future they will have to move. Funding and food comes from churches and the generosity of individuals.
Single men are the newest group who are coming. This may be in reaction to the Food Stamp regulations. No questions are asked. Anyone may come. Mostly the pantry is used by the homeless, underemployed, unemployed, the employed, the retired, vets, single moms and families. Currently Fareway is the most common meat source. HyVee provides 600 pounds of bread per week up to 12/1300. Bill currently is in need of volunteers to help deliver to homebound, pick up the bread and to hand out food 3 times per week.The group works off of a $50,000 a year budget. They also are the fiscal agent for "Bag of Blessings" which serves 220 elementary students weekly. Contributions also come from Family Video, Toyota and other generous groups or individuals.