VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Barnes County Senior Citizens Council held their regular meeting on July 28th. A lengthy discussion was held concerning the Barnes County Food Pantry.

Director Pat Hansen said during the last fiscal year, July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025, the Food Pantry spent $42,663.62 more than the donations for the year. Since Covid-19, families and individuals have been allowed to receive food every month. Prior to that they could only receive food boxes every three months. With the increased price of groceries the Pantry is spending an average of $9,135 each month for food and supplies.

Supplies include items such as diapers, bar soap, laundry soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc. Everyone on the Board feels that we should try to continue allowing monthly distributions if possible. Many people are receiving cuts in the SNAP program and a reduction of food through the Pantry would create even more of a hardship to families and individuals in our County. In order to continue as we are, we will need to receive more donations from the public.

Hansen said the Food Pantry is funded entirely with private contributions. We do not receive any government or other funding. The Barnes County Seniors do not charge anything for rent, utilities or wages to the Pantry.
Every dollar and product donated to the Pantry is used to purchase food and supplies for the families. In the past year the Pantry served 349 different households which included 558 adults and 295 children.

Donors can send checks to the Barnes County Food Pantry, PO Box 298, Valley City, ND 58072.

Donations of food or money can also be dropped off at the Barnes County Senior Center at 139 2nd Avenue SE, Valley City.