Rexburg Mobile Food Pantry starts drive-thru

After a couple of moves in its young life, the Rexburg Mobile Food Pantry may have found a new home at the Wilcox Fresh warehouse in Thornton.

Over the past 18 months, the pantry has distributed food to about 400 families a month. Each family leaves with 40 to 60 pounds of food.

When the program was in jeopardy, organizer Jessica Goudy said Wilcox Fresh stepped up and offered its warehouse.

“They brush it off like it’s no big deal, but it really is a big deal,” said Goudy.

Reuben Vialpando drives the food from the Idaho Food Bank to Rexburg and mobile food pantries from Bear Lake to Salmon. He said it’s a good thing Rexburg’s found a location.

“It’s one of the bigger ones that we have from all the stops that we have,” said Vialpando.

With the new location, Goudy said, came a new opportunity to offer drive-through service.

“So many people are saying, ‘Wow, I can actually come and not worry about my toddler running off,'” said Goudy.

Vialpando said it’s certainly a new concept in Eastern Idaho.

“That’s the uniqueness of this,” said Vialpando. “They can just drive through, they hand them the box and they’re on their way.”

Goudy said the new format means volunteers are now even more vital.

“A little more work on our end, but not enough to not do it,” said Goudy.

High schooler Damitu Haws is just one of dozens who showed up to help.

“I’m from Africa so I think it’s cool that they like helping those who want some food,” said Haws.

The Rexburg Mobile Food Pantry distributes food the third Tuesday of every month from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m at the Wilcox Fresh warehouse. The warehouse is located at 4891 S. Highway 191 in Thornton.