USDA Rural Development Area Director Mark Hultgren today announced a Community Facilities Grant in the amount of $4,200. The funds were used to purchase a food truck to haul food pantry items.
“The Webster County Food Pantry works hard to provide nutritious food to the area. After realizing they needed a new truck to continue their operations, they sought assistance and Rural Development was more than happy to help,” said Hultgren. “We are proud to be a partner in helping the pantry continue to serve and feed this community.”
The Southern Webster County Food Pantry, also known as The King’s Pantry, was established in 2008 to provide food pantry services to low income individuals. Most of the food the pantry receives has to be hauled from Springfield so they must have a truck in good repair in order to operate. The old truck had high mileage and was in constant need of repair which was very costly.
A new truck and forklift were bought and are now being used so the food pantry can continue their operations. The pantry continues to expand their services and currently serves more than 300 families.
The CF Loan and Grant program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. These facilities are dedicated to providing service to the local community for orderly development. Further information on additional programs is available by visiting the USDA Missouri Rural Development website at http://www.rd.usda.gov/mo. Interested parties may also contact the Springfield Area Office at (417) 831-5246, Ext 4.
USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, has an active portfolio of more than $218 billion in loans and loan guarantees. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America.