Jeff Holton is the new director of the Eudora Food Pantry after Marsha Gordon decided to step down after nearly five years of service.

Gordon started as a volunteer at the food pantry in 2006 because she wanted to give back to her community. She was appointed as coordinator in 2020 but recently chose to lighten her workload. She continues to volunteer at the pantry housed within St. Paul United Church of Christ. 

“It always feels so good to do what you can for the community just on your own free time,” she said. 

The goal of the pantry is to help anyone who needs it, regardless of who you are or how long you’ve lived in town, Gordon said.

“Sometimes when new people move to town, they may not learn that we’re here for a while. I think Jeff is going to take things to another level as we’re growing in it, and it needs to,” Gordon said. 

As Holton has been volunteering at the pantry for two years before his appointment, his ultimate goal for the community and pantry is to ensure no one goes hungry, he said. 

“The goal should be that we have no hungry people in our community. That is the end-all, be-all,” Holton said.

With Holton’s business background, completing this goal comes easier to him, he said.

“Marsha knows the volunteer side of things much better than I do. My background is in business leadership. In business, you’re always trying to increase revenue and reduce expenses,” Holton said.

The food pantry works through the Gene’s and is connected with the churches, but hopes to connect with other businesses in the area to boost community involvement, Holton said.

The food pantry is 100% volunteers and 100% donations, Holton said. 

There are around 20 volunteers, ranging in age from 60 to 80, who donate their free time. Holton said he’d like to bring younger people into the organization, which could allow the pantry to extend its hours beyond the 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday schedule.

Volunteers can also assist outside their regular hours for those in urgent need, Gordon said. 

Laura Smith has also recently taken on a new role helping with food insecurity. She began working as regional director for Food Connect in Kansas City in early August. The organization’s goal is to eliminate the transportation barrier with getting food to people, Smith said.

When the SNAP benefit cuts were occurring, Smith and her drivers turned their energy toward helping food banks, she said. 

The government shutdown also increased the need for perishable items. Holton currently purchases these items for the Eudora Food Pantry from the grocery store.

“What we’re trying to do here right now is increase the donations and reduce our costs,” Holton said. 

Holton said the pantry had 142 visitors on Nov. 5, a 30% increase from the previous week. 

Last year, the pantry served 5,138 people, and it hopes to serve more next year. For those interested in getting involved, reach out to the Eudora Food Pantry at [email protected].

Reach reporter Brooklyn Castillo at [email protected].