October 2026 Newsletter

Food Pantry, Clothing Closet and Donation Hours:

Tuesday: 9:00am-1:00pm & 4:00-6:00pm

Thursday: 9:00am-1:00pm

Saturday: 9:00am-1:00pm

Please note, the last check in for food pantry and/or clothing closet services will be 15 minutes prior to close.

An Update from Executive Director, Andrea Cook…

The holiday season is upon us! I can't believe it's been a year since we survived the SNAP pause - not just as a nation but as a community. I have been in the food insecurity space for more than a dozen years, and I have never seen anything like Nov 2025. While the need was almost crushing, we were buoyed by the remarkable community that rose to the occasion. Nearly 29,000 pounds of donated items, over 1,000 volunteer hours, and oh ya... y'all not only gave funds to keep the shelves full but helped us purchase a new truck as well! When I say that we cannot do this work without you, this is just one example.

Now, while we set an all-time record for families served in Nov 2025 - a number I didn't think we'd ever see again - we have topped that number TWICE in 2026. The need has not gone away. We've had a record number of new families this year who have never visited a pantry in our network. I don't see this changing anytime soon. I humbly ask us to remember us again this holiday season, in whatever way you feel moved. Our holiday giving guide provides direction on how to give towards our ongoing efforts, no gift is too big or too small. While you may not see your gift as making a difference, I want you to look back at the numbers above.

"The little things aren't little - they are everything."

Events & School Programs

Fried Chicken for a Cause

The Johnston Partnership is honored to be a recipient of a Prairie Meadows Community Betterment Grant for $25,000 for the third year in a row. The funds from this grant help keep personal items and household cleaners on our shelves to ensure that our community is safe and healthy.

As always, we are thankful to all of you for supplementing this need each week, and incredibly grateful to Prairie Meadows for their ongoing partnership and support!

Save the date for the third annual J-Town Jolly Jingle on November 8th from 12-4pm! Purchase a $15 ticket at any participating boutique and enjoy an afternoon of supporting local businesses, and the opportunity to win prizes. 100% of ticket proceeds will be donated to the food pantry.

Thank you to all of our neighbors for hosting, we absolutely cannot wait to shop!

It may be Halloween, but we promise, it isn’t scary to become a JUMP mentor! Check out more information about getting involved here.

Thank you for voting for The Johnston Partnership as favorite non profit in the Iowa Living Magazines Northwest Metro's Residents' Choice Awards! We are honored to receive this recognition and congratulate all of our neighbors who were also celebrated.

Happenings at the Food Pantry

Holiday Giving Guide

Yes, it is time again to welcome another new staff member to our team, Pantry Driver Associate, Mackenzie Vargason!

Mackenzie has already been with the Johnston Partnership for a couple months, and very much completes our small, but mighty group of seven! We couldn’t be happier to be fully staffed, and to have added such a wonderful individual to the family.

You can find Mackenzie driving the truck, working in the food pantry, clothing closet, or doing any job that is needed. If you haven’t had a chance to meet her, say hi!

Thank you for welcoming all of our new team members over the last several months- we are always honored to be surrounded by staff and volunteers who are eager to serve.