Monthly food distributions a need for many in county

On the first Tuesday of every month – before the sun even comes up – a line of cars begins to form in the parking lot at Countryside Park in Holton. 

That line grows and snakes around the parking lot until 9:30 a.m. when free food through Harvesters, a Community Food Network, is distributed by a group of 10 to 15 volunteers. 

The park has served as a distribution site for Harvesters for a year, according to Janice Schweigen, coordinator. Prior to that, food was distributed at the former Jackson County Fairgrounds. 

“Last month we served 380 families in Holton and 180 in Netawaka,” said Schweigen, who coordinates the distribution at both sites. In addition, the Hoyt United Methodist Church coordinates a monthly site in Hoyt.

Schweigen said that Harvesters delivers 10 pallets of food to the Holton site each month, and items usually include produce and products from Reser’s Fine Foods in Topeka. 

During the June distribution, which was held Tuesday, items handed out included bags of potatoes, sweet potatoes, apples and cucumbers, bean salad, potato salad, Cheez-its, frozen pizza, bread and pastries.

Many of the items are recently expired or close to their expiration date, Schweigen said.

Volunteers sort the items and set up drive-through stations for vehicles, loading the items into the vehicles. Schweigen said the last vehicle is loaded sometime between 11:30 a.m. and noon.

Those receiving the food items must fill out some simple paperwork. 

“All you have to do is sign your name and tell us how many people are in your family,” said Schweigen, who has volunteered for Harvesters for 15 years. “We have no clue where people from or how much money they make. They just have to sign a paper saying they need food.

Food is also distributed at the Netawaka Community Center, 418 Kansas St., on the third Monday of the month at 11 a.m. and at the Hoyt City Park, 900 Park Dr., on the fourth Monday of the month at 9 a.m.