Approximately 30 volunteers help to make June 2026 event a huge success
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – Each month throughout the year the Chester Area Christian Food Pantry (CACFP) hosts a Mobile Market at the Cohen Recreation Complex north of Chester. The event is held on the front parking lot of the complex on Rt. 3 North.
Some patrons of the event begin lining up at approximately 3-4 a.m. to get what they believe is a great parking spot in the line-up of sometimes as many as 80 or more cars. In spite of the belief by some patrons that by getting in line early they will receive more and better food items, CACFP staff do a great and accurate job of distributing the many food items “evenly” so that all patrons usually receive exactly the same types and amounts of food each month.
The monthly Mobile Market takes place on the 4th Wednesday of each month and begins at approximately 8:00 a.m. depending on the arrival of the food items via the St. Louis Area Food Bank truck.
The June market was right on time, and the driver began the somewhat arduous task of unloading numerous stacks of food items that were carefully loaded on pallets at approximately 8:10 a.m. By 8:30 the distribution had begun.
The Food Bank likes to provide as many healthy items as possible, but sometimes non-food items, such as paper goods and hygiene products are also included in the offering.
June 2026 items included, fresh squash, zucchini, cucumbers, frosted flakes cereal, fruit loops cereal, peaches, packages of frozen ground beef, frozen chicken, rice, and assorted bags of miscellaneous items.
Among the approximately 30 volunteers that assisted CACFP staff with the market, were friends from various churches in town, adult and youth, and six members of the First Baptist Church Youth Group, including Victor Mathis, Ryker Ridings, Liam Kirkpatrick, Rusty Mathis, and sponsors Montana Fogerson and Rev. Ridge Fogerson.
During the month of May 2026, the Chester Area Christian Food Pantry served a total of 226 households that had 600 individuals. Of those individuals, 209 were children. The pantry is managed by Bob Koenegstein.
The Food Pantry currently needs donations of peanut butter, cereals, snacks that children can prepare, and lunchables. Monetary donations are also very welcomed to help purchase items not donated.
The next Mobile Market will be held Wednesday July 22 at the Cohen Recreation Complex in Chester. The event will take place at approximately 8 a.m., depending on the arrival of the truck. Vouchers must be picked up at the Food Pantry located in Koeneman Acres in Chester. Non-vouchered individuals are served as food is available after all vouchers are filled.
The St. Louis Area Food Bank truck arrived at 8 a.m. Wednesday June 24 to deliver food items for the June 2026 Mobile Market. Jim Beers Photo
Nearly 80 cars lined up Wednesday June 24 for the June 2026 Christian Area Food Pantry Mobile Market. 133 vouchers were filled for consumers at the June event. Jim Beers Photo
Members of the First Baptist Church in Chester Youth Group volunteered to help at the June 2026 CACFP Mobile Market. Listed, (Left to right) are Victor Mathis, Ryker Ridings, Liam Kirkpatrick, Rusty, Mathis, Montana Fogerson, Sponsor, and Rev. Ridge Fogerson, Sponsor. Jim Beers Photo