By Allison Peck
The North Platte Catholic Community Food Pantry is getting some additional freezer space thanks to a $5,000 grant from Farm Credit Services of America.
The grant, provided through FCSAmerica’s Working Here Fund, helped the pantry purchase a commercial reach-in freezer. The additional space will allow the pantry to accept and purchase larger quantities of frozen foods, including meat and other nutritious items, while maintaining proper food-safety standards.
North Platte Catholic Community Food Pantry Executive Director Michelle O’Dea said having the additional freezer space will make a significant difference in the pantry’s ability to serve local families.
“Having adequate freezer space makes a tremendous difference in our ability to provide nutritious food to the people we serve,” O’Dea said. “This freezer gives us more flexibility to accept food donations, purchase food in larger quantities and make sure we have the storage capacity to get those foods into the hands of families who need them.”
The new freezer is particularly important as the pantry works to increase access to protein and other nutritious foods. More storage capacity will also allow the pantry to make better use of food donations and bulk purchasing opportunities.
The pantry provided the equivalent of more than 80,000 meals in 2025. Officials say investments such as the new freezer give the organization the infrastructure it needs to respond as demand for food assistance changes.
The North Platte pantry was one of 149 organizations receiving a Working Here Fund grant during FCSAmerica’s second-quarter 2026 grant cycle. More than $1.2 million was awarded through the program during the cycle, which ended June 30.
“We are proud to support organizations dedicated to addressing food and hunger issues in our local communities,” said Johna Jablonski, regional vice president of customer experience at FCSAmerica’s North Platte office.
The North Platte Catholic Community Food Pantry provides food assistance to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity in the North Platte area. The organization relies on community donors, volunteers, local businesses, food banks and grant partners to provide nutritious food and other resources to those in need.
FCSAmerica is a customer-owned financial cooperative that provides credit and insurance services to farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses and rural residents in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming.