NECAC Ralls County Food Pantry Receives 250 Pounds of Meat

The NECAC Coordinator Stephanie Dunker was notified there was a donation of

250lbs of wagyu beef at the Center Locker on August 13, 2024. This equals to 18g of protein in one pound. This fed approximately 175 families!!!! The meat was available all day on Wednesday, August 14, and morning of Thursday, August 15. The meat came from an anonymous donor.

The pantry has been a lifeline for many Ralls County families since Dunker revived it in late 2021. She saw the article that United Way wrote about partnering with Ralls County NECAC and was instantly inspired.

Dunker started about a month after starting to work there. With the documents for assistance each day, she went home wondering how they had anything left over for food. She decided to start a food pantry that would be available four days a week. On the first day of offering this service which was in December 2021, Dunker had two people a day which equaled usually one family.

As of August 14, 2024 so far this month Dunker has had 72 adults and 40 children with a total 44 families (being only open 8 days). This opens up options to overnight situations or daily needs met. This gives people resources until they have bigger sources access.

Dunker said, "We serve around 200 people a month which equals 75 households. However, in July 2024 we served 86 households."

Ralls County NECAC food pantry is open anytime the office is open. Hours are Monday thru Thursday from 7:30am-5:00pm.