Local food distribution program lends a helping hand

Every other Wednesday, the United Methodist Church in Grant becomes a hub of activity with the delivery of food boxes from the Food Bank of the Heartland for the Perkins County Food Distribution program. Volunteers carry boxes of groceries in to the fellowship hall, where it is organized on tables and distributed to people in need.
The 90-100 families served each time are coming not only from Perkins County, but surrounding areas like Ogallala, Big Springs, Imperial and Wallace.
Many local projects assisting people with basic needs involve Diana Pankonin, organizer of the food distribution as well as coordinator of the Perkins County Food Pantry, a separate entity.
“I love helping people,” said Pankonin, who took over the food distribution project when Methodist Church Pastor/former food program organizer Nora Mendyk left seven years ago. Having worked with the food pantry, Pankonin was familiar with the need in the area, and realized that the food pantry wasn’t able to handle all the demand.
Pankonin relies on volunteers to unload and unpack boxes, organize food items, and even deliver boxes to shut ins. “It is certainly not a one-man show,” she said.
One such volunteer, Darrell Pierce, began helping unload boxes and organize tables approximately six years ago, mainly to occupy his free time. He found it enjoyable, and has just continued to help ever since. “It’s good to help other people,” he said.
Participants in the program also help with the work, which in turn creates a lot of pride and appreciation.
Most of the food items come from the Food Bank of the Heartland in Omaha, which is funded by grants and donors. Locally, hamburger is donated by Grant Packing, and eggs by Ashleigh Noyes. In summer, several people offer fresh produce. “That is gobbled up instantly!” said Pankonin.
“Most participants aren’t what you would call destitute,” said Pankonin, “But they sure could use a helping hand.” Many would be having peanut butter sandwiches for their main meal, or going to bed just a little bit hungry, she added. “Jobs are out there, and most of the people work, but wages aren’t great if you have no skills and minimal education. Mamas can’t earn enough to pay for day care and make any money at all.”
Pankonin said that once a young mom with a small baby came to a distribution event. Without any baby formula, she had given the baby regular milk the night before. In what Pankonin called “God’s plan,” they just happened to have formula available, and were able to set the young woman up with other services to ensure the baby would continue to get the needed formula. “This kind of thing is happening too often in this area,” Pankonin said.
“Inflation has hit families really hard,” she said. “Food and clothing are really getting pricey. Wages just don’t stretch far enough to cover the cost of living.”
Many who participate in the program don’t have the support system that Pankonin herself had, which she is very thankful for. “I never had to do without,” she said of her own childhood.
“There is no mom or dad or grandma to help out and give guidance,” she said of some of the young families who use the food program. “They are on their own and it is really hard!”
Pankonin said her favorite reward was when she ran into a little boy in a store in Ogallala. He pointed at her and said, “That’s the food lady!” “What a wonderful thing to be known as!” Pankonin said.
In addition to young families, a need exists within the senior population as well. Pankonin said there are several who rely heavily on the food boxes for their meals. “Several of them tell me they don’t know what they would do without the boxes.”
The food bank is facing challenges with rising prices and loss of funding. “The program is growing, but the food supply is not,” said Pankonin. Funding for food projects has been cancelled in many cases, necessitating the reduction of food offered. The food bank has cut the number of produce boxes in half, so people have to limit their choices to just a few items to bring home. Milk quantities have been cut as well.
Pankonin is hopeful that a bill currently in front of the legislature that will allow funding to the Food Bank of the Heartland will pass.
donation
The food distribution program received a generous boost in December with the donation of $14,000 from NKC Railnet in Grant. “This will allow us to keep going if the food bank doesn’t get fully funded, said Pankonin.