Citizens gathered Wednesday to learn more about the Barb Food Mart and how it can benefit them and their families.

The informational meeting on the Barb Food Mart was held at 6:30 p.m. in the Conexion Comunidad, 637 N. 11th St.The Barb Food Mart was created to serve families of the students in District 428 by providing healthy food that is easy to pay for.

The Barb Food Mart is in a room on the first floor of Huntley Middle School, 1515 S. Fourth St., and has been open to families since June. Sheryl Nakonechny, co-coordinator of the Barb Food Mart, said the Barb Food Mart serves 60 to 70 families every week. Nakonechny said the food mart has 400 registered families.

Nakonechny said the mart also offers paper products like napkins and toilet paper, something the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, referred to as food stamps, does not cover.

“It’s been phenomenal, the consistent number of people here and us providing them programs while they wait to shop. In the works but not confirmed is cooking classes,” Nakonechny said. “Some parents can get the green beans open but don’t know what to cook.”

Nakonechny said 53 percent of students in District 428 receive assistance in getting food. According to the United States Department of Food and Nutrition Service, Illinois ranks sixth in states that have the most participants — 1.15 million — in the National School Lunch.

Sophomore undecided major Esperanza Castellanos said she thought the percentage receiving aid would be much lower.

“I come from Chicago and I thought that a city like DeKalb wouldn’t face an issue like this. [It] just shows that poverty is everywhere,” Castellanos said.

Peter Aiura, 24, of Chicago, said the number was higher than he would have guessed.

“It’s almost disheartening to see that many people around you struggling,” Aiura said.

Barb Food Mart attempts preserve a sense of dignity for its patrons, a guideline for its volunteers, Nakonechny said.

“It’s about empowerment. We work very hard to remove the stigma of the food pantry,” Nakonechny said. “People tell us, ‘You make us feel like we’re getting groceries, not a handout.’ I could float on that compliment all year long.”