7th annual Pack the Pantry hosts 42 teams gathering $15,000 in donations
Manning Rotary, National Honor Society, C3 Committee and Fareway employees organize another successful Pack the Pantry.
GALs With Goals team is shown with NHS shoppers. Team member Andy Booth shopping in a different style with team members Kaylie Rasmussen and Cassidy Halbur along with Kara Havick, a Rotary member helping to keep items in cart.
The Manning Insurance winning team Amanda Blum, Kara Havick, Katie Wall and Todd Stadtlander brought in $249.94.
The Knights of Columbus and Ryan Pille give thumbs up for their generous shopping.
The C3 Manning Food Pantry is fully stocked after the seventh annual Pack the Pantry fundraiser.
An historic response by the IKM-Manning communities stepped up to the plate to stock the nearly bare shelves at the Manning Food Pantry.
The seventh annual Pack the Pantry fundraiser for the C3 Manning Food Pantry took place at Carroll Fareway on Oct. 14, according to a news release. A record 42 sponsoring teams gathered a record $15,000 in food and other pantry supplies.
The success of this year’s event came through the collaboration of many partners: Manning Rotary, IKM-Manning National Honor Society, C3, and the Fareway store. The 42 sponsors included local businesses, churches, charitable organizations, city offices, and families.
The Knights of Columbus once again made a major impact, generously contributing more than $3100—bringing their total Pack the Pantry giving $14,715 since joining the effort.
The 42 team sponsors pledged $250 to participate in a five-minute shopping challenge, aiming to spend as close to $250 as possible without going over. Several sponsors brought their own three member “team” to shop. Each team gives $250 even though they may not reach $250.
The IKM-Manning National Honor Society members were on hand to be shoppers for many of the sponsoring teams. The student teams brought energy and creativity to the shopping experience and helped move all the stock from the 2 loaded trailers to the food pantry. This year’s winning team receiving the traveling trophy is the Manning Insurance Agency with a total of $249.96.
To date, Pack the Pantry events have purchased over $65,000 in goods for the Manning pantry. The October Manning Food Pantry distribution served a record 29 households.
Since opening in 2015, the pantry has served over 1,647 community households - continues to be a vital resource for local families. The pantry has a partnership with New Opportunities in Carroll offering additional services to clients. Volunteers from local churches help stock the pantry and fill the orders for the monthly distribution. The pantry also responds to emergency needs for IKM-Manning community households and provides assistance to the school food distribution program.
The Pack the Pantry events started in 2017 initially raising $4700 for the pantry. The 2026 event raised over three times more. Thanks to a generous and engaged community, the response and impact continues to grow. Manning Rotary coordinated the event, loaded and transported items, and ensured everything reached the food pantry quickly.
Donations may be sent to C3, P.O. Box 251, Manning, IA 51455, or given through local churches. Families in need can contact New Opportunities at 712-792-9266, Ext. 721, or visit newopp.org to register for assistance.
