By BEN KLEINE

Staff writer

Over 25 years with the Marion County Emergency Food Bank, coordinator Janet Bryant said that her greatest joy has been seeing the regular contributors and volunteers — people like Ed and Luke Siebert who give food almost every Monday.

“We have people come in every week because they think it’s important,” Bryant said. “Those kind of people keep us going.”

The food bank began in August 1985, in the back room of Valley United Methodist Church, founded by the Kansas Department of Social Rehabilitative Services in Marion as a service to unite charitable organizations in Marion County. The food bank still serves people from all over Marion County, although most of its volunteers come from Marion churches.

The need in the community is still prevalent. Bryant has seen one-time donors of food or money return as those in need. The food bank tries to provide a secular, comfortable environment for people to seek help.

“I would say some people are uncomfortable about needing help,” Bryant said.

In recent years, Bryant said people have come in more often while they are trying to find a job.

“It seems to take longer for people to get back on their feet,” Bryant said.

The food bank also provides Bryant and other volunteers an outlet to help others.

“It’s an important part of my life,” she said. “It’s an important thing for me to be able to physically help out another person.”