Osborne serves as Atlantic Food Pantry Operations Manager | Atlantic

The Atlantic Food Pantry has been in operation since the late 1980s. It was started by a group of church women, including one named Irma Lange, who volunteered her time and energy on its behalf until she had surpassed the age of 100.

Today it is a more structured organization, run by a board of nine local individuals who serve three-year terms. It is further staffed by about 30 volunteers, each with their own set of responsibilities. Some if their duties include picking up donations, sorting, stacking, recycling, cleaning, delivering… too many to name. They are always looking for volunteers, so if you have interest, please contact them at 712-243-5019.

Brad Osborne first joined the organization about 10 years ago, as a volunteer. He has since then served for the past several years as a board member, and is currently their Operations Manager. Osborne and his wife Becky originally came from Hastings, Neb., but have lived in Atlantic for about 35 years. If we’re lucky, they will be staying here permanently! Their two grown children, Drew and Lauren, now have their own lives.

“This community has been so supportive of everything we do,” said Brad. “The Food Pantry is supported 100 percent by donations. Many local groups, like area churches, Atlantic Public Schools, the Post Office, the Police Department, Kiwanis Club, Knights of Columbus, Boy Scouts and more, all chip in to keep us funded. Our biggest fund-raiser every year, believe it or not, is the “Scrooge Contest”!

“Another important partnership we have is with the Food Bank for the Heartland, based in Omaha,” he explained. “One of the Food Bank’s other partners is Walmart, and because of that connection, we are able to get large donations of food from Walmart. We visit them six times a month to pick up that supply. But please be assured, they NEVER give us anything that is outdated or recalled, they watch that Very carefully!” he added.

When Brad first joined the Food Pantry 10 years ago, they were serving about 16 families per week. Today they serve about 80 households per week, with a population of close to 300 individuals. There is, of course, a logical and fair limit on what is handed out to each indivudual or group.

“However, we don’t judge their need,” he said. “It’s not our position to judge.

“Our mission statement reads as follows: It is our focus each and every week as we serve Atlantic and the surrounding area.

“The mission of the Atlantic Food Pantry is to provide a community supported source of nutritious supplemental food for the people in Cass County who are experiencing food insecurity and to increase awareness in the community of the need for food security support