The Pantry's 2024 in Review

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2024 continued the trend at the North Liberty Community Pantry of breaking service records year after year. When data are plotted on a graph, it looks like a staircase but feels more like an escalator because of how fast we’ve grown.  

Visits: In 2024, the North Liberty Community Pantry saw 19,760 visits. This represents nearly a 20% increase compared with 2023 and a 64% increase compared with 2022. The monthly average for visits in 2024 was 1,647, an increase of 641 visits or 64% from 2022.  

Families: In 2024, we served more than 1,000 families or households for the first time in our 40-year history. In 2024, we served 1,082 unique families, or an increase of 17% from 2023 and a 40% from 2022. The monthly average for families served in 2024 was 531 or an increase of 178 families or 50% compared with 2022. 

Individuals: In 2024, those families served represented 3,389 unique individuals. This represents a 16% increase from 2023 and a 39% increase from 2022. The monthly average for individuals served in 2024 was 1,772 or an increase of 635 individuals or 56% compared with 2022. 

New Families: 2024 saw an increase of new families shopping at the Pantry who had never shopped with us before. 583 new families shopped for the first time at the Pantry in 2024 or a 53% increase from 2023 and a 55% increase from 2022. 

Food Distribution in Pounds: In 2024, the Pantry distributed 732,644 pounds of food or an increase of 25% from 2023 and an increase of 62% from 2022. August saw the most pounds of food distributed each year and was 74,453 pounds in 2024, an increase of 30,632 pounds or 70% from the record at the time in 2022. Every month of food distribution in 2024 would have been a record-breaking month in 2022. 

Food Distribution in Meals: It can be hard to understand what it means to distribute more than 732,000 pounds of food. Feeding America estimates that the average meal for one adult weighs 1.2 pounds. Using this calculation, in 2024, the Pantry distributed 879,173 meals or an increase of 336,002 meals or 62% from 2022. Based on each person needing 3 meals per day and the number of people served, the Pantry provided the average person served in 2024 with 259 meals or about 25% of what they need for the year. 

Grocery Deliveries: The Pantry provides grocery deliveries to households that cannot physically shop at the Pantry due to a physical disability, being elderly, or not having transportation. In 2024, the Pantry provided 2,191 deliveries or an increase of 64% from 2023 and 285% from 2022. In 2024, we averaged 183 deliveries per month, up from 47 per month in 2022. This represents a 289% increase from 2022. 

Clothing Distribution in Items: The Pantry offers one of the very few free clothing resources in Johnson County. In 2024, the Pantry distributed 51,851 clothing items or an increase of 37% compared with 2023 and an increase of 168% from 2022. 

Volunteers: We could not do all this service without the help of our volunteers. In 2024, we logged 11,383 volunteer hours or an increase of 33% from 2023, and an increase of 90% compared with 2022. In 2024, this amounts to the equivalent of nearly 5.5 FTEs. 

Family survey responses and feedback show this distribution's impact on families.  

“Grocery delivery is great!” exclaimed one of our families. “I don’t drive and use a walker. I can’t get out to get food and this is a lifesaver. Everyone is so friendly.” 

Another family said after feeling like she wasn’t “treated like a person” at previous pantries, she was happy to have found NLCP. 

“I am a single mom of two kids and only have my income and no other help,” she said. “Everyone here is always smiling and amazing. The food options are great!” 

The Pantry provided a record-breaking amount of service to a record-breaking number of neighbors in 2024. We need help to continue to meet the needs of our neighbors and keep our shelves full. A monthly recurring donation of $25 per month helps us meet the needs of our neighbors every month. Consider volunteering to support our neighbors. Visit nlcpantry.org/volunteer for more information.