Edited release
05/07/24
The North Liberty Community Pantry has purchased land to build a larger facility to meet the community’s needs.
In a release from the Pantry, food insecurity has grown dramatically over the last two years due to a combination of inflation and an expiration of COVID-19 pandemic-era food assistance benefits. Since 2021, the Pantry has seen a 69% increase in families served, an over 100 percent increase in pounds of food distributed, 4 ½ times more clothing items distributed, and a nearly six-fold increase in grocery deliveries made.
Board member and co-chair of the Building Committee Beau Brown says the acquisition of the land on West Penn Street and future building will help ensure that everyone in the community gets the food and clothing they need, no matter the circumstance. The pantry serves residents of North Liberty, Oxford, Solon, Tiffin, Swisher, and Shueyville.
The three-acre lot allows the Pantry to build a 10,000 square foot facility and cultivate a larger garden with a future greenhouse or hoop house to grow winter produce.
A capital campaign to raise funds needed is set to begin this summer.