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DECORAH — On Thursday, June 13, Decorah Rotary After Hours members and friends gathered around Matt Tapscott, Decorah Community Food Pantry Director, as he shared information about the pantry. Together, they learned that the Decorah Community Food Pantry utilizes over 100 volunteers to distribute hundreds of thousands of pounds of food each year. The requirements to use the pantry are simple, "If you're in need of food for any reason at all and you live in Iowa, you are welcome to utilize our Community Food Pantry." Following the presentation, the group formed an assembly line, packaging cake mix, frosting, a can of Sprite, and candles into disposable cake mix pans. "The kit include everything you need to make a cake. The can of Sprite can be used to replace wet ingredients like eggs and oil, which are hard to package and store." said project organizer Brecka Putnam, "People who utilize the Food Pantry can pick up a kit, and everyone in the area can celebrate family birthdays with dignity and joy." Putnam's family first started packing birthday kits after the death of her father, Dale. He was a big fan of celebrating birthdays and other special occasions, and his family was looking for a way to remember him on what would have been his 65th birthday. Tapscott noted how popular the kits were, saying "They went over really well, and people have started to ask for them. Sometimes we run out." Putnam knew that her fellow Rotarians would be more than willing to help pack more supplies so the pantry would be stocked year-round. The group packed 90 birthday kits on Thursday night. Supplies were paid for through a generous grant from Thrivent Financial, which was secured by Rotary member Tina Hall. Monetary donations came from members Ward and Jacky Budweg and Brecka Putnam. Pulpit Rock Brewing Company generously provided the space, and transported the kits to the food pantry. The pantry is open every weekday. Stay ahead of the curve! Subscribe to free newsletters for exclusive insights, local trends and analysis delivered straight to your inbox.

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Rotary Club Supplies 90 Birthday Kits for Food Pantry