National Guardsmen help distribute food in Cresco

CRESCO - Each month the Northeast Iowa Food Bank from Waterloo has a truck filled with food come to Crestwood’s K-8 elementary to distribute food to anyone who needs it.

Elaine Brookins noted there are as many as 36 volunteers who show up on the first Saturday of the month, but with the coronavirus pandemic, fewer volunteers show up. On May 2, four National Guardsmen were also sent to help, which was a good thing because only 16 locals felt confident enough to volunteer.

Usually, family members get to choose their own items. This time, they received several boxes of food, including frozen meat, dry goods (canned goods and cereal) and fresh produce, along with eggs and milk. Many times, bread is included, except the last two times. 

On average, there are 88 families who are helped. In April, there were 120 and in May that number increased to 140. The families included 354 members, 118 of whom were children.

It is first come, first serve. Regularly, a person comes early to get a number. This time, customers just showed up.

Volunteers from May 2 included Brookins, Mike and Cindy Yslas, Jim and Anne Ott, Richard Stinson, Bootie Kapler, Charles Myles, Donna Landswerk, Randy and Cheryl Ferrie and Martin Ahrndt of Howard County Food Pantry and a Northeast Iowa Community Action liaison.