Large crowd shows up after two months without a Mobile Market
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – The Chester Area Christian Food Pantry did not have Mobile Markets in either December 2025 or January 2026.
The December Mobile Market was not scheduled due to the fact that it would have had to have taken place on December 24th, Christmas Eve. The January 28th Mobile Market was canceled due to the extreme cold and snow that hit the area when the Mobile Market would have taken place.
It was therefore 60 days since the November Mobile Market and Mobile Market clientele were more-than-ready to be able to visit the February Mobile Market. A normal Mobile Market event fills approximately 85-95 vouchers. The February Mobile Market filled 121 vouchers. Homes were low on food supplies and eager to attend the February Mobile Market.
Approximately 30 volunteers showed up to work at the event. It was cold, however, most workers dressed warmly and braved the weather to help feed those in need of food supplies.
The February market offered a wide variety of food items, including fresh fruit and vegetables as well as some meat and sweet items. Some of the selections included apples, potatoes, blue cheese, breads, cakes, a variety of chips, fresh eggs, Milano Chocolate Candy, Cookies, sausage, Gold Fish crackers, pepperoni, and crackers. Sacks of a variety of other items were also provided.
The event began at approximately 8 a.m. and did not conclude until nearly 10 a.m. Clients were very appreciative of the food items and the fact that the 30 volunteers had come to help distribute the numerous pallets of food delivered that morning at 7:30 a.m. by the St. Louis Area Food Bank truck driver.
Mobile Markets take place on a regular basis on the 4th Wednesday of each month. The February Mobile Market took place Wednesday February 25. The Mobile Markets are held at the Chester Cohen Complex front parking lot at approximately 8:00 a.m. The next Mobile Market is scheduled to take place Wednesday March 25 at the Cohen Complex front parking lot.
The Chester Area Christian Food Pantry is open each Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The Pantry is located at Koeneman Acres. In December the Pantry served 166 households that had 417 individuals. Of those 417, 141 of were children, while 276 were adults. In January of 2026 the Pantry served 199 households with 526 individuals. Of those 526 individuals, 188 were children and 338 were adults. Bob Koenegstein is the Manager of the Chester Area Christian Food Pantry.
CACFP Manager Bob Koenegstein and volunteer Mark Colvis oversee the unloading and sorting of the many pallets of food delivered by the St. Louis Food Bank. Jim Beers Photo
The St. Louis Area Food Bank delivered approximately 15 different pallets of food for the February 2026 Chester Area Christian Food Pantry Mobile Market. Jim Beers Photo
It took numerous volunteers to unload and sort pallets of sausage logs at the February 25 CACFP Mobile Market. Many items arrive loose and must be sorted, bagged, and arranged for distribution. Jim Beers Photo