29th Street Mission

Food Pantry

The 29th Street Mission distributes food, garden produce, paper products and personal hygiene items. We serve a clientele that has limited means for obtaining these items. The mission is located in the Marion First Baptist Church at 1260 29th St in Marion, IA. We do not require a financial statement from our clients as we believe that it is between the clients and God as to their eligibility. We do not request an ID.

Hours: 9 – 11 am on Tuesdays and Thursdays

History

From 2001 to 2010, people were coming to First Baptist Church asking for assistance with gas, rent, utilities and food. Three shelves in the church’s kitchen closet were designated as the food pantry. The number of families who needed assistance continued to grow so in 2010 the congregation voted to designate an entire room in the church as 29th Street Mission. It would offer food items to anyone in need. They could receive assistance once a week. The offering of clothing and household items was discontinued as of August 2018.

Statistics

Average number of food requests monthly in each year
2010   44
2011   84
2012 218
2013 254
2014 301
2015 347
2016 409
2017 378
2018 375
2019 429
2020 445 (Jan-Feb) Pantry was closed in March due to COVID-19.
2021 327 (Jun-Dec) Pantry re-opened on May 25, 2021.
2022 545

Sources of Support

1- Financial Support
*Comes mainly from the congregation of First Baptist Church
*All donations are tax-deductible
*100% of financial donations goes towards the purchase of food & personal hygiene products
*All staff are volunteers

2 – Food Donations from
*Wilkins Elementary School in November
*Marion Postal Workers’ “Stamp Out Hunger Drive” in May
*The local community during food drives at the Marion Fareway store
*Fresh produce surplus from local gardens each summer

3 – Specific Donations from
*Prairiewoods Knitters and Stitchers – knitted and crocheted hats and scarves
*Rapid Eights Square Dance Club – socks

How Can You Help?

29th Street Mission continues to seek out support from all sources as the number of clients increases every year.

*Make a financial donation
*Donate food & personal hygiene products
*Donate produce from your summer garden
*Ask your employer to consider having a food  drive

Most Wanted Grocery Items: Canned pineapple, canned mandarin oranges, peanut butter, jelly, elbow macaroni, cream of mushroom soup and chicken noodle soup.

Financial donations can be made to 29th Street Mission and mailed to:
First Baptist Church
ATTN: 29th Street Mission
1260 29th St.
Marion, IA 52302

Contact: Craig Beadle, Coordinator
via 319-377-3275 (church office)

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Please use this link to view the full USDA nondiscriminatory statement: https://www.usda.gov/non-discrimination-statement