Minot pantry opens in new quarters
JILL SCHRAMM/MDN Our Lady of Grace Food Pantry manager Paulette Streitz stands next to boxes and a cooler of food in the large storage area in the new pantry building on Monday, July 27.
JILL SCHRAMM/MDN Virginia Swensrud checks in clients in the new Our Lady of Grace Food Pantry building on Monday, July 27.
JILL SCHRAMM/MDN Our Lady of Grace Food Pantry manager Paulette Streitz stands next to boxes and a cooler of food in the large storage area in the new pantry building on Monday, July 27.
JILL SCHRAMM/MDN Virginia Swensrud checks in clients in the new Our Lady of Grace Food Pantry building on Monday, July 27.
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Our Lady of Grace Food Pantry hosted its first clients in its new building on Monday, July 27.
The new pantry features a waiting area, check-in counter and more spacious area for client services, an office space and enough storage to bring warehoused items on site.
Paulette Streitz, pantry manager, said freezers and some coolers for the new building remain on back-order from December, but even without them at the moment, the convenience of the new, better organized space has been a significant improvement.
The food pantry's trial run on opening day uncovered some tweaks needed to gain full functionality, in addition to last-minute online access set-up. Streitz said they also have more artwork yet to hang to brighten the place up.
Streitz said the campaign for a new pantry on the church property started in 2024, with plans to open at the end of 2025. The back orders and other delays pushed back the start date by several months, but they couldn't hold off any longer. The church wants to reconstruct the former pantry into classrooms, pushing the pantry to make the move now. The timing of the move couldn't have been better, though, Streitz said.
"We're closed during fair week, always. So, I took advantage of the closed week," she said. "We had a big crew of 17 one day move everything over."
Streitz also spent many hours prepping for opening day and getting the space set up to serve clients.
Operations will change somewhat. Pre-filled bags of items will be eliminated and people will "shop" the shelves based on item and quantity guidelines. They also are asked to bring their own bags for their items. Streitz said allowing people to do their own shopping should reduce waste associated with pre-filled bags that might include items clients won't use.
Streitz said the pantry serves about 500 families a month. Volunteer numbers have been steady and donors generous. Food costs have been the biggest concern, particularly the cost of meats and frozen vegetables, Streitz said.
Clients are getting less meat through the pantry but a steady supply of eggs donated through the Minot Air Force Base commissary provides them with an alternative protein source.
"We give them an extra portion with that, so that's worked out very nice. That's been helpful," Streitz said.
The hours remain the same in the pantry's new location. The pantry is open most Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 1-4 p.m. on the south side of the church property at 707 16th Ave. SW.