Cedar Rapids food pantry to stay open after emergency fundraiser

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids food pantry that announced last Wednesday it would have to close unless it could raise $50,000 by the end of the week will remain open after receiving almost $45,000 in donations.

Together We Achieve started in 2020 as a Facebook group — called Derecho Storm Resource Page — meant to help connect people to resources after the 2020 derecho. It eventually grew into a nonprofit food pantry in southwest Cedar Rapids.

Raymond Siddell, executive director of the pantry, told The Gazette last week that the pantry had applied for several grants and he was hoping to receive enough funding to make it through the end of the year, but the pantry did not receive those grants.

The nonprofit put out a call Wednesday asking for help to keep its doors open until January. Siddell said he hoped to use the months between now and then to work toward longer-term funding solutions.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the emergency fundraiser had brought in $44,820, enough to keep the pantry open for a few more months, Siddell said. Half of what’s been raised so far was donated by an anonymous supporter who pledged to match every dollar donated, up to $25,000.

Donations still are being accepted at togetherweachieve.org.

Comments: (319) 398-8328; emily.andersen@thegazette.com