After the Ozark Food Pantry in Festus had to spend $1,200 of its limited funds to replace vans tires that someone slashed last month, Elks Lodge 1721 of Festus-Crystal City donated $1,500 to the organization, which provides free food to 60-80 families per week.
Mary Kroepel, Ozark’s office manager, said pantry leaders decided to use the donation to deter future vandalism.
“We’ve spent it on security cameras,” Kroepel said. “We appreciate the gift, which we hope will help protect us.”
The pantry works out of a building at Sunset Park.
Kroepel said the tire slashing took food out of the mouths of those the organization assists.
Ozark Food Pantry distributes food based on financial need to families or individuals who live within the Festus, Crystal City, Herculaneum, Pevely and Hematite ZIP codes.
“Donations from the community are the only source of income for the Ozark Food Pantry,” volunteer Robert “Poogie” Skaggs said.
“The Elks Lodge donation was truly a blessing,” she said.
