The Tarkio/Westboro/Fairfax Food Pantry Board met September 12, 2023, with 11 members present. Churches represented at the meeting were Baptist Church, Good News Church, and First Christian Church, Tarkio; Methodist Church and St. John’s Lutheran Church, Westboro; and Presbyterian, Methodist, Christian and Baptist churches, Fairfax.
In July, 86 individuals representing 40 families were served. In August, 89 individuals representing 35 families were assisted.
Board members will open the food pantry in September. The Good News Church (formerly Tarkio United Methodist) will be responsible for opening the food pantry in October. The pantry will be open the third and fourth Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. On the third Tuesdays the pantry will be open in the evenings from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
The food pantry schedule for the months of November and December will be changed. Due to the holidays the food pantry will open one week early in each of those months. The food pantry will be open November 7, 9, 14, and 16, as well as December 5,7, 12, and 14. Clients should be mindful of these earlier November and December openings.
The next meeting of the Food Pantry Board will be Monday, November 6, at 9:30 a.m. All board members are encouraged to attend.
The food pantry is currently low on the following items: tomato juice (64 oz.), saltine crackers, boxed potatoes (au gratin, scalloped), tomatoes (diced, diced chili ready, tomato sauce, rotel), chili style beans, pasta (ramen noodles, macaroni, medium egg noodles, spaghetti), ground beef (1 lb. pkg.), beef or chicken pot pies, Blue Bonnet margarine (1 lb. sticks), and laundry detergent.
Monetary donations are also appreciated as the money allows the shelves to be stocked with the items that are low. Donations intended for the local food pantry need to be given directly to the pantry. For after hours donations, call 816-261-2672.
The food pantry is located at 415 Main Street in Tarkio.