In November 2025, Southeast Linn Community Center and the City of Ely launched a pilot program to make food more accessible to Ely residents. After seven months, the partnership is going strong.
The food pantry located in the Ely Public Library closed in September 2024. The pantry operated in the library’s entrance during COVID as a temporary measure, but thousands continued using it after the pandemic. As the pantry grew beyond its space, organizers had to close it while searching for a new location that never materialized.
A representative from United Way of East Central Iowa reached out to Nicole McAlexander, executive director of Southeast Linn Community Center, on behalf of the City of Ely, to help come up with a solution. Nicole met with Ely city officials in October, and in just one month, they had a plan to provide better food pantry access for residents.
Ely residents are able to place a food pantry order for delivery once a month. SELCC volunteers deliver their orders to City Hall, where residents pick up their food on the second Friday of each month. Due to lack of cold storage, Ely cannot accommodate refrigerated or frozen items.
During the other weeks, Ely residents are welcome to access SELCC’s food pantry in Lisbon.
According to Callie Stulz-O’Brien, director of parks and recreation for the City of Ely, the system has worked well. “Extending these resources directly in Ely has been really beneficial for our residents who face challenges getting to Lisbon,” she said.
More than 17 residents have taken advantage of the pilot program, “and we’re looking to reach more Ely neighbors,” said Nicole. “We know there are more people who need to access the pantry, and we want to eliminate all the barriers, perceived and real.”
If you are an Ely resident who is in need of accessing SELCC’s food pantry, learn more at the City of Ely’s website. You may also contact us at (319) 455-2844 or info@selinn.org.