Full hearts and full stomachs

A new food pantry at Clay Central/Everly has seen steady use in its first year of operation.

Elementary secretary Val Johnson started the service after realizing a need in the community. While a food pantry at Hope Lutheran Church in Everly serves the north half of the district, there was nothing in Royal.

"Somebody brought it to my attention and I thought, why not do it here?" Johnson said. "I thought it was something we could open up to families with kids at school."

Johnson and CC/E partnered with the Food Bank of Iowa to get things going. She completed the necessary trainings and hit the g...