Byron Food Pantry expands services with new location

The Byron Food Pantry and Community Closet moved into a new location at the Community Education Center Building, 630 First Ave. NW, at the end of January, providing additional space that now allows for a refrigerator and freezer.
The move took place between Jan. 22 and Jan. 27, with the pantry reopening to shoppers Jan. 28.
Enrichment and marketing coordinator, art instructor and administrative assistant Katie Schmitt said volunteers played a major role in the transition.
“In just five days, 33 dedicated volunteers contributed a staggering 95 hours of hard work sorting thousands of items by food type and expiration dates and assembling new shelving units and tables,” Schmitt said, adding the pantry is always looking for more volunteers.
Five regular volunteers currently cover weekly shopping shifts and restock shelves. Another 12 on-call volunteers assist with donation receiving, sorting and restocking when needed.
The pantry operates solely through grants from foundations and community donations and does not receive state or federal funding.
Schmitt said the pantry’s greatest needs include nonperishable food items such as cereal and snacks, along with basic meal staples like pasta and rice.
Donations may be dropped off from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monetary donations can be made by check or online through the Byron Community Education website.
Because the pantry’s mission focuses on food and essential household supplies, it cannot accept donations of clothing, furniture, dishes or other household goods.
Schmitt said demand has increased significantly in recent months.
“In the last six months, we’ve increased the number of shoppers by quite a bit,” she said, noting that 15 households were added this fall. She cited job loss, divorce, financial pressures and the needs of senior citizens as common reasons residents seek assistance.
Shoppers may visit the pantry weekly, and there are no income requirements. While the pantry primarily serves Byron residents, people from outside the area may shop once per month. Households living outside Byron with students in the Byron School District may shop weekly.
Regular shopping hours are Mondays from 9 to 10:30 a.m., Wednesdays from 9 to 11 a.m., Thursdays from noon to 2 p.m., and the first Friday of the month from 6 to 8 p.m.
Volunteers are needed to sort donations, stock shelves, rotate food items, assist shoppers and serve on the Food Pantry Action Team. Those interested in volunteering may contact Schmitt at katie.schmitt@byron.k12.mn.us.