The City of Kalona is evaluating the future of their pop-up pantries and senior meal deliveries.

City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh says they’re committed to both programs and helping residents facing food insecurity through the month of February. Though he says it’s time to assess being able to continue providing those services going forward, “I think the goal would be that we have a discussion as a community as to what’s sustainable for both fiscally as well as staff-wise. You know these are some different times. I think we’ve met the challenge of being able to do this, but we need to find something that’s sustainable and see what the public would like and what their fiscal commitment would be to that as well on an ongoing basis.”

Schlabaugh says their evaluation will include surveying those served by the programs, which have generated lots of positive feedback. He says they’ll also approach non-profit and volunteer groups to see where they could fit into the services long term.

Schlabaugh commends the role of the Goodwin Dining Center in Wellman which has prepared the free hot meals delivered to seniors each week Wednesday through Friday. He says 569 free hot meals were delivered to Kalona residents in January. The only pop-up pantry currently scheduled is from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, February 20th at the public works building.