Food Pantry & Community Closet

About the Food Pantry

The Food Pantry is located at the Byron Community Education Center. The Food Pantry opened in October 2023. 

A garden program was started by volunteers in the summer of 2024 to provide fresh vegetable options.

Freezer foods are now available although in a limited capacity.

Background

Efforts have been made in the past by various community groups and individuals to provide a local Food Pantry. Over the years, Fareway Foods, 1st Security Bank, Boy Scouts, local churches and the Byron School District have all played an important part in collecting and distributing food to people in need. As new spaces became available to Community Education on the south end of the CEC building, we began exploring the option to establish a centralized Food Pantry and Community Closet in an empty room at the CEC. In partnership with District Social Worker, Christine Jostock, and Byron Middle School students, Community Education coordinated a pop-up Food Pantry in the spring of 2023 to distribute food items to community residents.

During the summer of 2023, the Food Pantry space was refreshed as part of the Byron Public Schools construction project. Upgrades to the space included new flooring, ceiling, lighting, HVAC and a new large window with a park view. Start-up funding for Food Pantry furnishings was provided by a Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) grant through Olmsted County. Grant funds were used to purchase shelving, tables, signage, and storage.  The Food Pantry opened in October 2023.

We partner with community organizations and individuals to serve Byron neighbors who are experiencing food insecurity and economic challenges.

Building the Future

Future plans include the addition of a refrigerator and freezer in order to increase the variety of fresh and frozen produce (vegetables, fruit, meat, and dairy products). 

The long-term vision for the Food Pantry includes establishing a farm-to-table garden program as well as access to cooking and nutrition education.

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About the Community Closet

The Community Closet is located next to the Food Pantry at the CEC. It is stocked with essential household supplies and personal care products and available to Food Pantry shoppers. Shopping hours for the Community Closet are the same as the Food Pantry.