In the first week after reopening the defunct Olivet Neighborhood Mission, HACAP serves hundreds of people

Cedar Rapids, Iowa – Following concerns that it would close earlier this year, a long-running food pantry in Cedar Rapids is once again helping families.

In July, Cedar Rapids’ Olivet Neighborhood Mission declared its closure. For 48 years, the mission was housed in a facility owned by Olivet Presbyterian Church. They claim that the mission’s efforts to provide food, clothing, and other aid to those in need had grown too much for them to manage as the number of individuals using its services increased.

Olivet’s partner, HACAP, says that need is the reason it bought the building and will keep running a food pantry there. One plate at a time, HACAP, a community action center, is assisting in feeding Iowans.

On Monday, the structure reopened as the Northwest Neighborhood Resource Center.
We didn’t want to remove anything from the area because of the enormous need that exists here. Because there is a lot of foot traffic, we wanted to have it here in this specific location,” explains HACAP communications manager Chris Ackman.

Over 140 families received appointments from the facility in the first week after it reopened. It provides more than simply food, too. “The purpose of the appointments is to attempt to find out what needs our neighbors have, whether it’s WIC, energy assistance, or any of our other services. Thus, if individuals are unaware of our other services, we may direct them to them,” adds Ackman.

230 10th St. NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405 is the address of the center.

Market for Food Hours: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Monday through Thursday, is when appointments can be made.

To make an appointment, call HACAP at (319) 221-1484, Ext. 2622.