By Jim Beers
CHESTER – The Chester Area Christian Food Pantry (CACFP) held its May 2026 Mobile Market Wednesday May 27 at the Chester Cohen Recreation Complex. Approximately 110 automobiles gathered at the main parking lot of the complex to take their turn in the food distribution line.
Pictured are the volunteers from the First Baptist Church youth group (photo by Jim Beers)
Approximately 25 volunteers were on hand to assist Food Pantry personnel in distributing many food items to the voucher holders. Some of the items being offered on this date included heads of fresh cabbage, bags of potatoes, Egg noodles, Knorr Frozen Chicken, A wide variety of flavored chips, protein chips, cases of bottled of water, fresh milk, and several mixed bags of miscellaneous food items.
Volunteers sort some of the many food items prior to the distribution (photo by Jim Beers)
The First Baptist Church Youth Group of Chester was on hand to volunteer including Rusty Mathis, Victor Mathis, Liam Kirkpatrick, Rev. Ridge Fogerson, Sponsor, Ryker Ridings, Baily Hartman, and Arizona Rose. Their assistance was greatly appreciated.
The CACFP served 225 households that had 608 individuals and 199 children during the month of April 2026. For the summer month the pantry would appreciate donations of snacks for children, Lunchables, and other easily prepared food items that “kids” can fix and eat. Monetary donations are always appreciated with which to purchase food items that are not donated.
The St. Louis Area Food Bank truck unloads multiple pallets of food items to be distributed at the May 2026 Mobile Market (photo by Jim Beers)
The June Mobile Market will be held Wednesday June 24 at 8 a.m. at the Cohen Recreation Complex in Chester. Vouchers can be obtained at the Food Pantry. The Pantry is open Wednesdays from 9-2 p.m.