Pantry full despite lingering shutdown fallout

The cupboards are full at the MATURA Adair County Neighborhood Center food pantry, according to center Director Raedeen Bigelow.

Bigelow, who has served as director for 43 years, said that while residents in need may have felt some strain during the federal government shutdown last fall, community support helped offset the impact. Donations were strong enough to meet or exceed demand.

MATURA presented its annual report and budget request for the upcoming fiscal year to the Adair County Board of Supervisors last Wednesday.

“Monetary donations have been really good over the holiday season,” Bigelow said. “When we had the government shutdown, we were doing fine and had plenty of donations.”

Donations came from a variety of sources, including the Adair County Hot Shots and Fusion 4-H clubs, Immanuel Lutheran Church, the local Masons and several individuals.

“The pantry’s full, which is nice,” Bigelow added.

Another program directly affected by the shutdown was the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP. The federally funded program helps low-income households avoid energy shutoffs and improve energy efficiency through weatherization.

Some LIHEAP payments have already been distributed, MATURA Executive Director Danna Buls said, which is earlier than some expected.

The Neighborhood Center also saw physical improvements over the past year through a facade grant available to properties on the west half of the square. The center’s old awning was removed, and a wall on the rear of the building was replastered. One concern heading into warmer months is the stability of several air-conditioning units that have sustained recent damage.

A possible reconfiguration of the center’s clothing area is also being considered.

MATURA’s motto, “Helping people, changing lives,” was reflected in its annual statistics. Over the past year, $164,948 was directed into Adair County as MATURA assisted 484 households and 956 individuals.

Of those served in Adair County:

• Forty percent were ages 18-59, 31% were children ages 0-17 and 30% were age 60 or older; nine individuals served were veterans.

• Nineteen percent of individuals assisted were employed, while 32% reported a disabling condition.

• Ten percent of households were single-parent households, 55% were single-person households, 43% were homeowners and 47% had total household incomes at or below 100% of the federal poverty level.

MATURA also benefited from more than 10,700 volunteer hours over the past year across its six-county service area.

In addition to addressing food insecurity, the organization helps residents access a range of services, including the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program, child and adolescent health services, Head Start, weatherization assistance, LIHEAP and more.

MATURA requested $20,660 from the county for the next fiscal year, along with $6,000 for a general assistance contracted fee.

“I want to thank you for the support you give to our outreach center,” Buls said.

The Adair County Historical Society and Adair County Tourism also presented reports and budget requests Wednesday. On Friday, the Adair County Library Association, Midwest Partnership, Adair County Fair Board, Enviornmental Health, DHS, Public Health and Southern Iowa Trolley were due to present.