BEATRICE – Since moving from its long-time home in the basement of a local church to a city-owned, renovated building, the Community Food Pantry of Beatrice continues to see a lot of clients.  The operation moved to the former Beatrice Fire headquarters space in the lower level of the city auditorium.

Cathy Hayden, the new Director for the pantry, said it’s a blessing that the new home carries no rent or utility payments for the organization which provides help to those in need.  "The last year we served 5,107 people...157 households on average, per month. New clients, we averaged about 28 per month, last year. So, we are getting new clients all the time."


It’s a full-circle experience for Hayden, who told KWBE she once briefly needed the help of the pantry herself….and now leads a dedicated group of volunteers who help others.


"And, we have 65 volunteers that help run this place with me, and they are like the backbone of this."
Taking over in January of this year, Hayden says she couldn’t do the job without the volunteers that she describes as amazing.


"We have sixteen board members. We also got really lucky here. The state department contacted me and we were able to get a spanish speaking person, Margie Potter....who had been volunteering for us. The state pays for her. It doesn't cost the pantry at all, and we are able to have someone who can speak Spanish for us and handle all of our Spanish speaking clientele...and she;s been a Godsend."


Two city council members, Mike McLain and Terry Doyle, are board members of the organization.
(McLain)..."I'd just like to compliment you guys on how well of a job you do. It's so well run. I was impressed....very efficient, how you handle it very professional...you do a great, great job.." (Doyle).." We really want to thank all of you, the councilmen and the mayor, for allowing us to do that. It's a substantial savings and you can see we're getting a lot of people...five, six thousand a year. It's a huge business. It's a six-figure budget that we have, to run that place every single year."


Churches and volunteer support are key players in the organization’s success.