HOISINGTON — About 40 years ago, a meeting was called with the churches in Hoisington. It stemmed from someone they knew who needed food assistance but couldn’t get to the Barton County Food Bank in Great Bend.

At that, the Hoisington Food Bank was formed. Sue Wagner, Pat Patton and Gwen Christy were its founding members. Jan Morgenstern was not far behind and some 40 years later, Morgenstern is still there.

“I was here when it first started 40 years ago,” Morgenstern said. “I stepped away for a few years then came back.”

Morgenstern came back and has been the director of the Food Bank since the tornado hit Hoisington in 2001.

It has been run out of the basement of the First United Methodist Church at 467 W 3rd Street since its inception.

“We kind of took over their basement,” Morgenstern said.

The Food Bank is open the second and fourth Mondays of every month from 2-4 p.m.

“However, in times of emergencies or a crisis there are always a couple of the board members there to serve someone,” Morgenstern said. “The Methodist church will put them in touch with me if needed.”

The Food Bank serves not just Hoisington but all of northern Barton County.

“From Barton Hills and north,” Morgenstern said.

Some of the communities it serves include Galatia, Susank, Claflin and Beaver.

Last year the Food Bank served nearly 80 families during the year.

“When we first started it seemed like it was mostly elderly people,” Morgenstern said. “But now we have some very large families we are serving.”

Families can come whenever they need to but are limited to 10 times per year to make sure there are enough resources.

When someone comes to use the food bank they need to show ID and proof of residents names, ages of everyone in the household. After getting set, it is just a process of signing in.

“Some families use all 10, some only come once or twice just to get back on their feet,” Morgenstern said. “If a family needs more than 10 visits, they can usually talk with a minister and get back to us.”

Being a smaller food bank, the Hoisington Food Bank does not use the Kansas Food Bank in Wichita for its inventory. Most of it is donated to them.

“The United Way is a big benefactor for us and the community,” Morgenstern said. “The rest come from donations. The community support is tremendous.”

Morgenstern noted the Food Bank gets contributions from businesses, churches, civic groups, schools and the hospital.

“The schools, postal workers and different businesses have all done food drives for us,” Morgenstern said. “Stuff the Bus is a big one as well and Clara Barton has been a big supporter for us.

“We also just get donations from people. Some of them have left the area but stay in touch and connected with us.”

But the main form of donations are monetary donations.

There are 11 board members that all pitch in.

In addition to Morgenstern, members include Bernice Aylward, Lana Kephart, Lois McLeland, LeeAnn Nuss, Deanna Ochs, Alma Radenberg, Jane Rice, Toni Schneweis, Connie Seib, and Cheryl Steiner.

“Pretty much all 11 are there every Monday we are open,” Morgenstern said. “We are definitely a working board. They are also there in between those dates a lot of times as well.

“People are here because they want to help.”

The food bank has non-perishable items as well as meat, milk, eggs, and cheese. Currently a lot of fresh produce is being donated.

“We also have personal items as well,” Morgenstern said.

“It’s hard for people to ask for help,” Morgenstern said. “We need to make sure to treat them with dignity and respect.”

Morgenstern said they are also willing to pay for someone to ride the trolley in town in order to make it to the food bank.

Morgenstern quotes Patton when she said what it is all about.

“Serve the people and serve with cheerfulness. Pat Patton said that and it still rings true,” Morgenstern said.