It started as a way to occupy her time.
Deborah Sager had recently lost her husband to a car accident.
Husband Jim’s death left Sager with twin boys, and uncertain of what lied ahead.
“The kids were in school, so I really didn’t have anything to do,” Sager said, before pausing. “I mean, I did, but I didn’t. I just thought if I got out and about, it might help me through all that.”
So Sager approached local pastor Phil Honeycutt about helping with the Iola Community Pantry, which is administered by the Iola Area Ministerial Association.
It was a natural fit, particularly with Sager’s organizational skills, tenacious work ethic, as well as her sense of compassion for those less fortunate.
Now, nearly 10 years later, the Ministerial Association has opted for Sager to replace the Rev. Tom Waters as the newest Community Pantry director. Her first day at the helm is Tuesday.
“I don’t know that I’m excited,” she said. “Maybe I’m a little nervous. I want things to continue as they always have been. We want to always be able to provide for people.”
The Community Pantry, at the intersection of Washington and Broadway streets, provides food for needy families twice a week, on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
The Pantry relies strictly on donations, Sager noted, mostly from area churches, some from Walmart, and most recently through Monsanto’s “Invest An Acre” program.
As an emergency aid organization, the Community Pantry often is considered a “last resort” for those who receive its aid.
“The thing that weighs on me is, I can see their struggle,” Sager said. “I couldn’t imagine trying to get by on that amount of money a month. I’m blessed because God has provided for me. I went through that when Jim died, and I didn’t know what was coming my way. I didn’t know financially how I was going to pull it off, but God truly has blessed me.”
Sager also works as a bus driver for Marmaton Valley USD 256.
She notes the Ministerial Association will continue to set the guidelines for recipients. In order to receive food, recipients must provide proof of income, and can only receive full boxes of food once every three months. Emergency situations, of course, can override those limits, Sager continued.
“And if they have children, we’ll give them some extra,” Sager said.
Food boxes typically provide a week’s worth of meals. Emergency boxes have enough for three or four days.
THE TRAFFIC in the pantry offices comes and goes in an orderly fashion, as a network of volunteers work seamlessly together, from filling the boxes, restocking shelves, visiting with recipients, and recording every bit of food that comes in and goes out.
Last week, for example, 50 recipients received help.
“It goes in seasons,” Sager said. “Sometimes we’re very busy, other times we’re really slow.
She’s uncertain if it’s divine intervention, but the pantry tends to be at its fullest when demand is highest.
“Always seems to happen that way,” she said. “Right now, we’re busy because of the holidays. We’ve had quite a few people tell us they didn’t have anything for Thanksgiving. And it’s the end of the month, so those on cash assistance may be out of money by now.
“We’ll probably be busy through the winter,” she said. “Sometimes it slows off after the first of the year, but you never when people need help.”
Sager also has a cadre of relatives who have begun volunteering alongside her.
Sons Alec and Coury are usually on hand Saturday mornings when Sager and others go to stock the pantry’s shelves.
“They’ll help unload the food, cleaning, things like that.”
Meanwhile, Sager’s father — she’s the daughter of Iolans Jack and Bonnie Stewart — bring in deliveries on a regular basis.
“Dad’s become our link to Walmart,” she laughed.
BOTH SAGER and her predecessor, Rev. Waters, note the stereotypes that are easily disproven by visiting with some of their recipients.
“There is a lot of need out there,” Sager said, “and not necessarily because people aren’t working. They may have jobs and just can’t make ends meet because they don’t make enough.
“You may see the same people in a cycle quite a few times, then you might not see them for a year or two,” she continued. “I know people kind of get in a rut, and know we’re here and know that we’re able to help them. There are those few who are just using the system, but for the most part, people really need this help.”
Waters agreed.
“Some are working jobs,” he said. “Many have been looking for jobs for a long time, and haven’t found them. Many are elderly. There are a thousand different things, and you just can’t put them all in one basket.
“Most, by far, are going through difficult times not of their making,” Waters continued. “We are a place of last resort. We’re an emergency food pantry, It’s just a joy to help.”
Sager envisions one potential change, if she can get it cleared with the Ministerial Association.
“I know there are some people who can’t come in because they’re working,” she said. “I’d like to see us open one evening a week for those who have jobs.”
THE PANTRY received a recent booth through Monsanto’s Invest An Acre drive.
Monsanto, one of the world’s leading agrochemical and agriculture biotechnology corporations, has agreed to match every dollar donated to the Kansas Food Bank.
So, those who wish to donate financially, can send in an Invest An Acre form — they’re available at the pantry — to the Kansas Food Bank, specifying the money goes to the Iola Community Pantry. There, Monsanto has agreed to match every dollar donated.
Forms also are available online at www.investanacre.com.
Donors must ensure their contribution is designated to the Allen County Food Pantry No. 896.
Donations also can be mailed to Invest An Acre — Kansas Food Bank, 1919 E. Douglas, Wichita KS 67211.
WATERS will continue to stay busy, even as he leaves as director.
He recently accepted a position as associate pastor at Bible Fellowship Church in Iola.
“And at 70 years old, it’s just too much to do the food pantry and the church,” he said. “It’s been a joy to be here. It really has. The turnout from the community to help it has just been fantastic. This is a fantastic community.”
Waters is certain Sager will thrive in her new role.
“Of course, she has been here longer than I have,” Waters said. “She has a steady hand. She has a compassion for people young and old. She’s organized, and I think she’s going to be an excellent director.
Sager, in turn, praised Waters and what he provided.
“He’s that calm in the storm kind of guy,” Sager said. “As he tells me, ‘It’ll test your faith to see the shelves empty, and you’ll wonder how to get food.’ But then somebody will come in with a big delivery.”
Waters isn’t making a full departure. He’ll continue to volunteer on Tuesday mornings as the unofficial greeter as folks walk in the door.
“I’ll still get to see them,” he said. “Being a director is a big job. I’m glad to get rid of that part of it. I enjoy being at the door and greeting people. Some come in with tears in their eyes. Others come in like it doesn’t mean anything, and we’ll see everything in between.”
