Quick 5 - Mary Strack

1. When was the Grain Valley Assistance Council founded, and what is its function?

In 1994, to help low income people living in Grain Valley, with utilities, rent, clothes and food. They can get food once a month, and I can help with one utility every nine months.


2. Where do donated items come from, and where do they end up?

Grain Valley is a very caring community, and all I have to do is say food is getting low and they have food drives. It’s just amazing. The clothes are brought in by people after they’ve had a garage sale.


3. Why do you hold the barrel food drive each year in August?

The city does that for us, and by that time, our food supply is really getting low. I don’t buy very much food. It’s donated by churches, and the schools are great about holding food drives. And the chamber lets people know when we need food.


4. How much food do you typically collect?

We get almost a truck load just from Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association. They just have so much food. It’s a blessing, it really is. The others don’t do as well, but overall, we have a really good food drive. I give out as much as 2,500 food items per month, and it doesn’t take long to wipe out a supply.


5. Is the need greater this year?

Oh, absolutely. In fact, in the last year and a half the average need per month has grown from 40 to more than 60. And they all live in Grain Valley’s 64029 ZIP code.