January 11, 2023
Story and photo by Joe Vinduska
Barton Community College dropped off a donation of food at the Community Food Bank of Barton County Friday. The items were collected by the Barton Library from faculty, staff and students at Barton at the end of the fall semester.
The food bank is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12:45-2:45 p.m. and is located at 3007 10th St. in Great Bend. Food pickup is on the south side of the building at the white garage doors. All they need to bring is proof of residence in Barton County and a photo id of everyone who is 18 or older in the household. The food bank relies on numerous donations to operate. Donations are accepted at the same days and hours listed above.
Director of the food bank Ruth Behrens said donations are vital to the success of the food bank.
“We are so thankful for this donation,” she said. “A lot of people think we receive government funding but we do not. Donations are the only way we can survive and help those in need. People need help now more than ever due to rising costs of food, rent and utilities.”
This is the second year the Barton Library has collected donations and Barton Director of Library and College Archives Darren Ivey said he plans to continue this tradition annually.
“In addition to clothing and shelter, food is the most basic necessity for humans,” he said. “We can’t feasibly provide people with a home, but we can help them to get their next meal. The Community Food Bank is doing a terrific job in filling that need, and some big-hearted people at the College really stepped up to assist. The donors and Ruth and her staff are the real heroes. The library was merely the collection point.”
The food bank relies on volunteers to operate. For more information on how to volunteer or donate food, contact Behrens at (620) 792-4001.