BEATRICE - For several decades, it served as a fire department headquarters. Now, it’s the new home of the Community Food Pantry and Emergency Services in Beatrice.


Thanks to space provided by the City of Beatrice and a lot of donated materials and labor, the pantry has started operating in the lower level of the Beatrice Municipal Auditorium. After 51 years in operation at St. John Lutheran Church, the pantry is now serving the public out of its new headquarters….all on one level.


Angie Essam, the Coordinator of the Food Pantry, said the move from the church began August 8th, and it was ready to open two days later. Open Mondays and Thursdays, it can serve a dozen families in the morning and a similar number in the afternoon…around 75 persons. There is the potential to double that in the future.


There’s always a need to help people with food or other assistance, but it’s become even more critical, in light of higher prices. Essam says some families just need one-time help, to get by. The pantry uses volunteer support to stock shelves and provide a reception area. The organization receives twice-a-month shipments from the Lincoln Food Bank.


The food pantry can now use what was a fire department bay door on the southwest corner of the building to bring in deliveries.


Anyone wanting to help the Community Food Pantry can donate financially to the operation or bring food items in directly to the new headquarters along Ella Street.  Donations can also be made through the upcoming Big Give Gage online drive for nonprofits, September 14th.