New food distribution program fills glaring need
What started with a visit from a fruit truck from Sioux Falls has turned into a blossoming — and much needed — food program at Balaton’s Victory Church.
“They asked us if they could distribute here … ‘Can we sell peaches from your parking lot?’” Victory Church Pastor Matthew Cherry said. “We said, sure, and thought there was an opportunity — ‘food is going to be in our parking lot, let’s buy some.’” That’s exactly what the church did. And not only that, members started distributing it for free as a way to address the town’s food insecurity issue.
“Some local farmers started to donate ground beef,” Cherry said. “We also buy things in bulk. Hy-Vee has started giving us discounts on overstocked items and donating some stuff that’s close to expired. That’s become a good partnership in Marshall.
Every other Tuesday since June, the church has put on a food distribution event, from noon-3 p.m., giving those in need a chance to come for a visit and leave with good food for their family.
CHERRY
“Anyone from the community is welcome to come and get groceries — it’s usually just a basic set of essential needs,” Cherry said.
The church tries to target as many staple items as it can — eggs, milk, meats, bread, potatoes, different kinds of proteins and canned vegetables and soup. The church doesn’t consider itself a “food shelf,” as it has yet to establish permanency, but that could be coming in the future, Cherry said.
“We’re working to evaluate what the need is in Balaton,” he said. “We’ve been amazed at how much need there is. We see a lot of new faces.”
It seems now more than ever, people need help in putting good food on the table. As the federal government shutdown lingers on and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program help remains out of reach, Balaton’s Victory Church. Cherry said 155 people from 57 households in Balaton have taken part in the distribution since the program’s inception. “We were kind of surprised by what the need was,” Victory Children and Community Director Kelly Hanson said. “There are food shelves in Marshall and Tracy, and we kind of thought that would be close enough, but it hasn’t seemed to deter people from coming and being involved in this. It’s been really cool.”
Hanson is overseeing the food distribution operations and has loved every minute of giving back — from pushing a cart up and down grocery store aisles, to the distribution itself.
“It has been a tremendous honor to watch this evolve,” Hanson said. “It’s just been beautiful to watch when we say ‘yes’ to watch God’s hands move and be ready for that need at the perfect time. We’ve had the opportunity to start building relationships with local community members and places near us.”
The next distribution day — and perhaps the highestdemand day — is Nov. 25, just before Thanksgiving. Cherry said thanks to the response from church members, there will be more food available than usual that day.
The remaining distribution dates in 2025 are Dec. 9 and Dec. 23.
Cherry said people have been given the opportunity to donate to the program financially, which has become more vital given the government shutdown, which has halted SNAP benefits. That, combined with the high price of nutritional food, has created a huge need.
“We’ve had people in the community just drop off a check - ‘Hey, I heard you’re distributing food and wanted to help,’” Cherry said.
Besides donations, Victory pays for the groceries with its established benevolence fund. The church has been purchasing food primarily right off the shelf.
“If we can save a couple hundred-dollar grocery bill, that’s a huge benefit for a lot of people,” Hanson said.
Xmas Tree Walk ready for visitors soon
The Lyon County Museum’s 13th Annual Indoor Christmas Tree Walk will be ready for viewing on Nov. 22. Visitors can enjoy trees decorated by area families, business, non-profit organizations and serve organizations inside the museum in Marshall.
Museum hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. from Mondays-Thursdays; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Fridays and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturdays.
To vote, attendees place money in a box located by each tree. The top 3 with the most money will win the tree walk. First-, second- and thirdpace prizes will be awarded; winners will earn Marshall Chamber Dollars.
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It’s just been beautiful to watch when we say ‘yes’ to watch God’s hands move and be ready for that need at the perfect time. We’ve had the opportunity to start building relationships with local community members and places near us.
— KELLY HANSON OF VICTORY CHURCH IN BALATON
