A greenhouse beside the Albion library is stocking the pantry

The Times Republican reported on October 8, 2026, that the Albion Municipal Library and Heritage Center at 400 North Main Street has become a small food source as well as a reading room. An 8-by-12-foot greenhouse, helped by a $2,500 Theisen’s More For Your Community grant that included a $500 gift card, is growing tomatoes and peppers for the library food pantry, which is open during library hours. Lettuce and microgreens are planned for winter, and subtropical plants for spring 2027. The garden does not use herbicides or pesticides.

Director Hanna Karim, the library’s only paid employee since September 2022, leans on volunteers, including board president Wade Dooley. The Community Foundation of Marshall County paid for an LED sign, raised beds, and yoga. Dusty Hills Farm and Swift Greenhouses donated plants. Alliant Energy gave $3,000 for trees that volunteers planted, and an Iowa Department of Transportation Community Visioning grant brought landscape help from Iowa State University. The library also lends through interlibrary loan and Libby. It will be closed October 13 through 20 while Karim is away.