A familiar-yet-new face heads the Iola Community Pantry.
Tom Waters, a retired minister of 49 years, has accepted the job as interim director of the Community Pantry after the Rev. Phil Honeycutt announced he is leaving his post of more than a decade.
Honeycutt is pastor of Covenant of Faith in Iola.
Experience with other food pantries, and his work as a volunteer for the past 2½ years in Iola, made Waters’ choice an easy one, said the Rev. Paul Miller, president of the Iola Area Ministerial Association. The Ministerial Association oversees the Community Pantry.
Waters is “the ideal person to provide leadership in this time of transition,” Miller said. “Our biggest concern is a smooth transition to make sure people have access to food.”
Thursday’s first day at the helm went well, Waters said.
“We have some great volunteers,” he said.
“We never want to turn anyone away,” Waters said, citing his eagerness to fulfill Jesus’ command to attend to the needs of those around us. “It is amazing to know that at the end of the day, we have fed Jesus.”
As part of the Kansas Food Bank, the Iola Community Pantry will not turn anyone away due to their faith, Waters said. Due to supply levels, the pantry is equipped only to handle requests from individuals once every three months.
Waters notes the summer months can be lean ones for many families. A summer meals program offered through USD 257, during which free meals are served, runs only through June this year. The program used to run through July as well.
Waters and Miller said the IAMA is working to streamline processes in order to more effectively serve those in need.
In addition to his work with the Community Pantry, Waters also pastors at a Baptist Church in Bronson.
