Approximately 35 volunteers help to make March 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 75 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 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 8-9 a.m. depending on the arrival of the food items via the St. Louis Area Food Bank truck.
The March market was a bit late due to fact that a new driver was unfamiliar with the drive from St. Louis to Chester, and the location of the Cohen Recreation Complex. Once the truck arrived, the driver began the somewhat arduous task of unloading numerous stacks of food items that were carefully loaded on pallets.
The March food list included some, but not all of the following food items. 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.
The March 2026 items included fresh onions, potatoes, a variety of meats, milk, nutrition bars, noodles, a variety of chips, “Silk Drink Products”, chocolate bars, “Kind Bars”, bottles of “Knorr Meat Sauces”, and mixed bags of a wide assortment of other food items.
Five volunteers from Chester High School assisted with the March 25, 2026, Mobile Market. The event was sponsored by the Chester Area Christian Food Pantry. The group helped sort, organize, and distribute food items as well as clean up the area following the distribution process. Pictured (left to right) are Mackenzie Diemund, Peyton Dickson, Leslie Asbury, Erin Liefer, and Rylie Myers. Jim Beers Photo
A large group of eleven 7th and 8th Graders from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Chester volunteered at the March 2026 Mobile Market. The event was held at the Cohen Recreation Complex in Chester. This monthly food distribution is hosted by the Chester Area Christian Food Pantry and greatly appreciates volunteers from both the adult community and local schools to assist with organizing, sorting, and distributing a wide array of food items to patrons of the event. The students did a great job and greeted patrons with both healthy food items and friendly, welcoming faces. Jim Beers Photo
Chester Area Christian Food Pantry staff unload, organize, and sort a wide variety of food items delivered from the St. Louis Area Food Bank. The event was the Wednesday March 25 monthly food distribution at the Mobile Market. Approximately 93 food vouchers were filled at the March 2026 event. Jim Beers Photo
Among the approximately 35 volunteers that assisted CACFP staff with the market, were five Chester High School students, 11 St. Mary’s Catholic School Junior High Students, and 20 adults from the community of Chester and the surrounding area. At the March 2026 Mobile Market, there were 93 food vouchers filled.
During the month of February 2026, the Chester Area Christian Food Pantry served a total of 195 households that had 475 individuals. Of those individuals, 139 were children. The pantry is managed by Bob Koenegstein.
The Food Pantry currently needs donations of canned meats, canned fish, canned fruits and vegetables, children’s snacks, Lunchables, and other kid-friendly food items. Monetary donations are also very welcomed to help purchase items not donated.
The next Mobile Market will be held Wednesday April 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.