The City of Kalona is getting back the full use of their public works building after being home to thousands of pounds of food for residents facing food insecurity the last several months due to the pandemic.

Due to a drop off in public need, the city recently suspended their pop-up pantry and senior bags programs until next fall. City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh says the food they distributed required a lot of space and commended the public works’ staff for making room, “Being able to move things around, to accommodate bringing in, at any given moment, 10,000 pounds of dry goods and refrigerated and frozen goods. So we’ve got a wide assortment of fridges and coolers and things to be able to make this all happen with six or eight pallets of product at any one time, plus boxes at 200 a crack, so we’ve got boxes everywhere.”

Schlabaugh says the timing’s right to get full use of the public works building again because it allows staff to get mowers and other related lawn equipment ready for spring. While the pop-up pantry and senior bags meal programs have been suspended, Schlabaugh says the city may still have a special food distribution event with Hawkeye Area Community Action Corporation (HACAP) this summer. He says the hot meals for seniors program will continue through the end of April on a once-a-week delivery basis, but meals will no longer be free. Recipients can pay $4-7 per meal based on their ability to pay.