A surplus at a township trustee’s office will go to a good cause.
The Nineveh Township Trustee’s Office directed $6,000 in funding to the Interchurch Food Pantry to help the local nonprofit organization further serve the community.
The agreement originated in the trustee’s office, which has excess money in its budget because fewer residents are requesting financial assistance from the trustee’s office due to federal aid, such as stimulus checks, that have been distributed in the past year to help individuals survive the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, trustee Janet Renner said.
While looking at options for how to spend the extra money, Renner learned the Interchurch Food Pantry had helped Nineveh Township residents 631 times last year. That’s roughly $78,000 in food to Nineveh Township residents, she said.
"There’s always an immediate need with food," Renner said. "We felt that it’s only fair that we take our excess and roll it over to them, so they can continue to help our residents."
Since trustee’s offices cannot donate to the food pantry, per state law, it put forth a formal agreement that says as long as the pantry continues to serve Nineveh Township residents, it can use the $6,000 from the trustee’s office.
"We’re happy that we’re able to do it," Renner said. "It’s a good place to put it, and it shows the people of Nineveh that we’re still helping them."
The Interchurch Food Pantry primarily operates through donations. It buys the food items that stock the shelves, so this direction of funding will help significantly, said Carol Phipps, food pantry manager.
"It gives us a real vote of confidence that they appreciate what we do and want to help out," Phipps said.
Interchurch Food Pantry provides free food to all Johnson County residents year-round. Those who need help fill out an order form, and the pantry provides them with anything they need, including canned goods, fruits and vegetables, to baked goods, dairy products and meat.
Most of the money will go toward purchasing food, but some will go toward continuing its new drive-through service. The drive-thru service started last year at the pantry as a result of the pandemic and has since become a hit, Phipps said.
Drive-through pick up is done under a massive tent, where cars line up outside. Beneath the tent, a wide selection of fresh produce is available while volunteers fill the rest of the order.
"The people coming to get food love it; the volunteers love it. We can serve so many more people. It’s easier and it’s faster," Phipps said.
The pantry also offers a delivery service throughout the county for those who may not have transportation access to get to and from the Franklin pantry. To request delivery, residents can call the pantry or submit their order online, she said.
"Our shelves are loaded with great food, and we’d like to pass along the word to anyone who could benefit," Phipps said.
<strong>IF YOU GO</strong>
Johnson County residents who earn less than 185% of the federal poverty level, or individuals who have lost paychecks due to the coronavirus emergency can receive food from the Interchurch Food Pantry at no cost.
Hours: Monday – Friday, noon to 3 p.m.
Address: 211 Commerce Drive, Franklin
Delivery is available for those who cannot physically visit the pantry. To place a delivery order, email [email protected] or call 317-736-5090.
