The Friends of Etna Green are accepting monetary donations to cover the cost of the new Etna Community Food Pantry building. It’s in the parking lot of Hartzell Farm Feed and Supply and the Etna Elevator, 120 N. Walnut St. Photo provided by Jason Hanes.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

ETNA GREEN — The Etna Community Food Pantry distributed 30,000 pounds of food last year, estimated Jason Hanes.

“We just want to make sure that we keep serving the people that we serve,” said Hanes, who serves as president of the Friends of Etna Green, which oversees the pantry.

Thus the Friends are currently fundraising to cover the cost of a new pantry building.

That building was installed on Monday, Aug. 11, in the parking lot of Hartzell Farm Feed and Supply and the Etna Elevator, 120 N. Walnut St. The 16-foot by 10-foot structure is bigger than the one the Friends had previously, which they didn’t own.

That previous building was preceded by a small one installed by Zoie Bella, who put pantries throughout Kosciusko County and inspired the Friends to have a building.

“We’re hoping that we can get all of our food into one place,” said Hanes of how the newest building will help.

The Friends get the food for the pantry from the Milford Food Bank.

Hanes said hours going forward for the pantry will be 4:30 p.m. until everyone is served on Mondays, which will start in the near future. When the pantry reopens, it will be announced on the Friends of Etna Green Facebook page.

Anyone is welcome to use the pantry, with people not needing to supply proof of financial need. Those using the pantry also don’t have to live in the town.

He said the pantry serves an average of 15 families a month.

Food donations for the pantry can be dropped off either during its hours of service or dropping it off at Hartzell Farm Feed and Supply and the Etna Elevator.

To donate for the new building or for its supplies, funds can be sent to the Friends of Etna Green at P.O. Box 52, Etna Green, IN 46524, noting they are for the food pantry. Donations may also be dropped off for the pantry at Hartzell Farm Feed and Supply and the Etna Elevator.

There’s still around $4,100 needed to pay for the building. Those who give at least $750 may have their name written on a plaque at the building, be mentioned on Facebook and in the Hartzell Farm Quarterly and attend an open ceremony dinner.

If they give $250, they will be mentioned on Facebook and in the Hartzell Farm Quarterly.