This article has been updated with the date and time of the next distribution.
By Emily Miller and Emily White
REXBURG—For seven years, the volunteer-run Rexburg Mobile Food Pantry has provided food for any resident who needs it, via large boxes of nutritional necessities passed out monthly. This service is provided on the third Tuesday each month, with the next disbursement scheduled for Tuesday, October 18 from 4-7:30 p.m.
“The reason we do this is because there is not a brick and mortar pantry in Rexburg,” says organizer Jess Goudy. “Nowhere that has regular hours where people can walk in and get food. Madison County has the highest poverty rate in the state of Idaho by more than double, so the Idaho Food Bank is always trying to find ways to get food into our community.”
Goudy says the volunteers distribute anywhere from 23-50 thousand pounds of food each month.
“During COVID, as everything was shutting down, we were asked to distribute twice a month, with significantly fewer volunteers due to COVID restrictions,” she says. “Our group did this for a little over a year.”
Earlier this year, the Rexburg Mobile Food Pantry was recognized by the City of Rexburg as the service organization of the year for all of their work in 2020.
Who: Anybody in the community can volunteer and anyone can come to get a box.
When: The next distribution will be Tuesday, March 15 from 4-7:30 p.m. (The 3rd Tuesday of every month)
Where: Wilcox Fresh Warehouse (Thornton), 4915 South Highway 191
For Volunteers: There isn’t a sign up, so those looking to volunteer should arrive at 3:30. The food pantry staff ask that volunteers stay the entire time to ensure that there are enough helping hands to keep things running smoothly. Closed-toed shoes and weather appropriate clothing are encouraged.
Those looking to get a box can start the car line up at 3:30. You stay in the car and check in with one of the volunteers as they approach. The route is depicted below. You’ll need to follow this specific route or your car will be sent to the back of the line.
