The Lord's Cupboard operates as an ecumenically and community supported food pantry serving the Alta zip code community (city and rural) in Buena Vista County by providing food assistance and toiletry items to improve the quality of life for those in need without respect to income, gender, race, sexual orientation, or religion. The Lord's Cupboard serves approximately 1100 people per year (200 families). The Lord's Cupboard is funded and serviced through the generosity of the area Alta churches (who also provide volunteer staffing), local civic organizations, local community clubs, local ministerial association, Tyson Foods, Storm Lake Hy-Vee, Storm Lake Fareway, City of Alta, Alta Community Schools, Iowa Food Bank, Gull Wing Corporation, and individuals through cash donations, groceries, breads, meat, and toiletry items. The Lord's Cupboard is a charter member of the Iowa Food Network and a member of the Iowa Food Bank and receives yearly facility inspections from the same. The Lord's Cupboard has adequate shelving for food items, paper products, toiletry items, and also frozen food storage for up to 2000 pounds of meat. Storm Lake Hy-Vee provides weekly free distribution of breads and baked goods through the food pantry. The support and willingness of the Alta community has made a difference to keep the food pantry open since 1979. The Alta community wholeheartedly supports The Lord's Cupboard and the benefits it provides for those in need of food assistance.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (712) 200-2304 to book your appointment.
Address :
213 Main St,
Alta, IA 51002.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Alta
Help Residents of Counties:
- Buena Vista
Appointments
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7.
For the full set of services, you can call (712) 200-2304 to book your appointment. Staff can also answer any questions you may have.
Food Pantry in Near By City
Food Pantry in Near By County
Tips for Visiting a Food Pantry
Show up early.
This is very important. This means you will be first in line and have a chance to get the items that are sought after and in limited quantities such as fresh produce, dairy and frozen food.
You don't usually need to show up hours ahead of time but coming at least an hour before is usually a good idea.
Remember all documentation.
Many food pantries require documentation to prove who you are, and in some cases, where you live.
This is to make sure people are not coming more than they are allowed or using fake names to do so. Call ahead of time to find out what documentation is needed.
It's just your photo ID and a piece of mail that verifies your address.
Use several food banks.
Using more than one food bank (when available) is smart because you may be able to get something at one that you may not get at another.
For instance, one may have a deal with a local gardener that gives them their extras. This may mean this food bank has more produce.
Eligible for other programs?
Ask your Department of Social Services office if you are eligible for other assistance programs to supplement your household’s food supply.
They can easily tell you if you can apply for WIC (Women and Infant Children), USDA Commodities or SNAP(Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.
Ask about extras.
If you have special needs for infants or special diets, the pantries may be able to assist you.
Many times, they can help with diapers, baby formula, baby food, personal hygiene products, and even special diet items like gluten free or sugar free foods.
Go on different days of the week.
Depending on the food pantry, they may be open only one or two days a week or they may be open all seven days. When you have a choice, going midweek is often best as it is less crowded.
Be polite to workers.
Nearly everyone at a food bank is a volunteer. Be polite to the workers there as they often deal with highly emotional situations.
FAQ(Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is the difference between a food bank and a food pantry?
Independent community food pantries are self-governing and usually distribute food to their clients on a once-a-month basis. A food bank is the storehouse for millions of pounds of food and other products that go out to the community. A food pantry functions as the arms that reach out to that community directly.
2. What kind of food is at a food pantry?
Specifically, food banks often need items like:
- Peanut butter
- Canned soup
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Pasta
- Canned beans
- Canned stew
- Canned fish
3. Who can go to food pantry?
At the majority of food pantries, eligibility is based on self-attested need. You do not need to have a referral, and income is not a factor to receive food.
4. What is the difference between a food pantry and a soup kitchen?
A food pantry provides three-day food packages to families that have a place to live, but not enough food. These packages are designed to provide nutritionally balanced meals. Soup kitchens serve individuals in need of a hot meal, the only meal of the day for many of them.
5. How does a food pantry work?
Food Banks acquire large donations of edible but unmarketable food from the food industry and distribute it to organizations that feed hungry people. Then they provide this food to family in a need.