(Elliott) The City of Elliott Food Pantry was recently awarded a valuable grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority to strengthen their infrastructure and supply of fresh food.
The Elliott Food Pantry received a Community Development Block Grant in the amount of $19,327. These funds are coming from the remaining COVID relief money and were designated to benefit food pantries or broadband access.
The Elliott Food Pantry was opened in 2021 as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic and people losing employment or not being able to afford basic needs. Since its inception the pantry has had an increase in users and this grant will help them support the growing need. With these funds the Elliott Food Pantry plans to use around $12,000 to purchase fresh foods. Currently they are only able to offer mostly highly processed foods. The pantry also plans to purchase new refrigerators and freezers, as well as more shelves to help store fresh produce, meats, milk, yogurt, and other perishable items.
Southwest Iowa Planning Council helped the pantry complete the application to obtain the funding and will help them with implementing the funding now that it has been awarded.
