DALLAS COUNTY, Mo. (KY3) – One of the most extensive food pantries in Dallas County might have to shut its doors by the end of the year, taking away a vital resource from a small community.
The Isaiah 58:7 Mission Food Pantry celebrated its fourth anniversary in October, but unless it can come up with $100,000 by December 31st, 2025, it will have to close its doors.
The pantry has no shortage of food and supplies for those in need, but the location where all of those supplies are kept is the part putting them at risk. For the last four years, its been allowed to freely use its building, but the property owner is looking to retire and has said the pantry will need to buy it to continue using it.
Isaiah 58:7’s founder, Donna Goeser, says she has looked all around the county for another space or other options, but with the pantry outgrowing what space it has right now, the future is very much up in the air.
“We only do one family at a time,” she said. “So it gets really personal from them being diagnosed terminal to events that have happened with their relationships to their kids. We’ve really developed a bond. We’re more than just a food pantry here. We give the resources to our people, also, that are available to help them step themselves up out of poverty to help them advance their lives. I think it’s really gonna be sad on my part to miss a lot of the people and trying to help them out, but I’m still always gonna be here. They’ll know how to get a hold of me.”
They have only raised $400 of the needed $100,000 to buy the building.
After watching many other pantries and community resource centers close in Dallas County, Goeser has added important documents and resources to the pantry that would also go away if it were to close.
“I’m hoping that everybody will band together,” said Goeser. “I’m hoping the businesses and the private sector will come together and try to focus on Dallas County and try to help the people that need the help and help everybody out hand to hand instead of going elsewhere, just trying to help out the community and start with that.”
The food pantry also provides necessities to kids in Dallas County schools, another program that would end if the pantry had to cease operations.
“The pantry provides food items that students can discreetly take home when needed,” said Nikki Gardener, the Principal of Mallory Elementary, “helping to reduce food insecurity and support overall well-being.”
“Many students rely on the pantry to take food home on a weekly basis,” said Principal Brandon Jackson of Buffalo High School, “and it plays a critical role in addressing food insecurity, ensuring that no student goes hungry outside of school hours. The consistent support provided by this organization has made a significant difference in the lives of those who need it most, offering not only food, but also other essential items from time to time. I deeply appreciate everything Isaiah 58:7 has done for our school, and I would truly hate to see this program go away. Its impact extends far beyond our campus. It serves as a vital support system for the entire community, helping numerous people in need each week.”
Other than having a place to keep operating, buying the building gives the pantry other benefits. It would be able to access grants that could help with expanding space and adding features like freezers and more storage.
Still passionate about their mission, the team hopes the community can come up with a solution to fall back on if they need it.
“The community is already kind of scrambling, already trying to figure out where to get their resources,” Goeser said, “and it’d be nice if we just had one place that everybody could go to get all the resources that they need to get, that would be great. That’s my goal, to be able to provide that and have a building where we can have all those resources available for everybody.”
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