St. Mark’s Neighborhood Fridge helps neighbors in need

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Saint Mark’s Lutheran Church opened a neighborhood fridge in June to help community members in need, amid a growing food insecurity crisis.

The church re-purposed an under-utilized classroom in their building and turned it into a 24-hour location to drop off and pick up food.

Local caterers, bread delivery groups, supermarkets, schools, and even community members share food with them that would otherwise not be sold or served. While the church can’t guarantee that the shelves will always be stocked, Pastor Bob Bekkerus said they receive between seven and ten donations in a week.

Community members are welcome to take what they need at any time. Their goal was to help the community and limit food waste.

“If you’re a single person and you find yourself constantly cooking for four because that’s a habit, bring in the extra and just put it on the shelf in a container that you don’t mind going away. If you know a caterer, if you know somebody who is making food and they get too much of it, we would love to make that connection because our goal is not necessarily to solve the problem but to, one person at a time, make a different and let people know that they’re loved and people are thinking of those who are hungry,” said Bekkerus.

Church volunteers can also pick up large food donations after events. For more information on the St. Mark Neighborhood Fridge, click here .

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