EVANSTON — For more than 30 years the Lord’s Storehouse food bank has provided meals to those in need, relying largely on the generosity of Evanston individuals and businesses to keep the doors open. Uncertainty now clouds the future. 

The food bank depends on donations in order to function, said director Kay Rossiter. While food donations are always needed, monetary donations are also a necessity. Rossiter said annual expenses to keep the food bank running are approximately $30,000, which includes costs for building rental and other overhead.

With the economic downturn, the food bank has lost a couple of large corporate donors, said Rossiter. She said she is now worried about the future viability of the program. 

In order to understand some of the challenges faced by the food bank, Rossiter explained that running the food bank requires a huge amount of coordination with other agencies and a focus on logistics.

“It’s a lot more complicated than just leaving groceries in a bag,” Rossiter said.

Everyone who works with the food bank is a volunteer. Rossiter said that it’s challenging to get committed volunteers who are willing and able to return on a regular basis. 

The food bank is open once a week on Tuesday mornings from 7:30-8:45. However, there are also food pick-ups to coordinate and paperwork to file. Both Smith’s and Walmart provide some food through the Feed America program. 

In addition, the space that the food bank currently utilizes — in the Trinity Lutheran Church at 50 Yellow Creek Road — is also shared with a preschool.

“It’s kind of like a circus,” Rossiter said. “We set it all up and tear it all down before preschool starts.”

The food bank has moved to several different locations during its 30-year history; it’s been at the current location for about five years. Rossiter said it’s been hard to find locations that will work since any location has to be accessible to those with disabilities, have ample truck parking for deliveries and have plenty of storage space. 

The Lord’s Storehouse is connected to the Rocky Mountain Food Bank in Casper, which, in turn is connected to the Rocky Mountain Food Bank in Denver. The organization is a nonprofit and is required to file taxes and keep detailed records. 

The food bank also goes through two annual inspections — one from food bank in Casper and one from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It is also a requirement that at least some volunteers go through training and pass exams on proper food handling and on civil rights of those receiving services. 

Rossiter said the food bank has provided area families with more than 100,000 meals so far this year, with every family receiving a “basics bag” containing all four food groups. Families are then able to choose a limited number of items from among both higher-cost and lower-cost areas. There is also fresh produce and bread products to choose from. 

Rossiter took some time to dispel some myths surrounding the food bank. She said people are often concerned about individuals who don’t really need it taking advantage of the food availability. She said that’s very rare, and food bank staff handle the situation.

“Seriously, fraudulent people don’t want to stand in line for an hour and a half,” she said.

She also said that only about 25 percent of program participants return every week, while most only come when they really need the help. 

Rossiter said she wanted to emphasize how grateful she is for all of the community support from monetary and food donors, volunteers, Smith’s and Walmart, and the local recycling center for picking up the recycling once a week.

“I’m very grateful that Evanston is such a generous community that’s kept this going for 30 years,” she said. “We’ve never really had to solicit for food or money.” 

However, as she gestured toward nearly empty shelves, she added, “I need to think ahead and try to plan for the future. I don’t know how we’re going to remain open without some financial help.” 

Anyone interested in donating or volunteering for the food bank can contact Rossiter at (307) 679-2628.