"I went to India during that three-month period and saw the terrible need for food there," Martin said.

He met his five-year goal at the pantry last November.

"So this is my sixth year managing, and I've never had a need for money," Martin said. "The money comes in, and I attribute that to God."

The Council Bluffs Pantry Association, of which Southside is a member, helps ensure each pantry is adequately stocked with dry goods like canned foods and cake mixes.

"They get frozen meat. Sometimes we have milk," Martin said. "The congregation is very good about supplying the pantry."

Martin said they get a lot of things from the food bank, which usually charges a service fee to cover costs. They waive the fee when donations result in a surplus.

"They might get shampoo from some corporation and everyone (in the association) gets some," Martin explained, "But a month from now we might not have shampoo."

Some CBPA locations have specialties, like Phillip's Cupboard, which carries only paper goods such as diapers and tissue.

"The clients that we serve can go back and forth between the different pantries," Martin said.

Client information is stored on a CBPA network to ensure people are not taking advantage of others' generosity. Each store sets its own limitations on who it serves and how often.

"Our pantry will help someone the first time just because they ask," Martin said. "After that, we have to make sure there is a need."

Martin gets to the 1919 S. 10th St. pantry at about 8 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He starts returning messages, taking food orders and setting up appointments for pickup.

"We take as many as we can," Martin said. "I don't like to turn people away."

There are often more people helping than those seeking help.

"That's another thing. I haven't had to ask for volunteers, either," Martin said. "I think they really enjoy what they're doing, helping people. I love what I'm doing."

Martin said he would not have been so passionate without the Indian excursion.

"Six years ago, I was not interested in traveling overseas," Martin admitted. "I hadn't seen everything in the United States yet."

He took that first trip with Compassion International, a Christian child advocacy ministry that serves more than 1 million minors in 24 countries.

"These are children with extreme needs," Martin said. "It supports them with food, shelter and education. They go to school, and that's not automatic in the third world."

Martin and his wife of 51 years, Roberta, raised four sons and one daughter who have families of their own in Oregon, Idaho, Minnesota, Nebraska and Kansas.

"We sponsor 17 children now," Martin said. "I thought that was pretty good until last week."

Martin, 72, just returned from a trip to Nicaragua where he was visiting one of his surrogate sons. Another man on the tour claimed 41 sponsorships.

"I'm at the age where, thankfully, I don't have to make a house payment," Martin said, explaining how he keeps up with the sponsorships.

Now, the Martins enjoy watching their eight American grandchildren and 17 international children grow, corresponding with them and visiting regularly.

"I keep a spreadsheet and write to each one at least every two months," Martin said. "One girl in India should be about ready to graduate. She's 18, and I've seen her twice."

The organization encourages sponsors to interact with the children, according to Martin. They arrange international tours and meetings with up to 600 children at once.

"You walk in this room and children are throwing flowers at you and putting leis around your neck," Martin said. "It's a tremendous welcome. It's always very rewarding."

Martin has also been to Thailand and Haiti.

"Almost a trip every year," he said. "Each one I've taken, I've been blown away by the whole experience."

Born and raised in a small town near Little Sioux, Martin went on to study electronics through three years of Army vocational technical training. He came to Council Bluffs around 50 years ago to teach the first electronics class at Iowa Western Community College.

"I loved teaching," Martin said. "I loved the students. I just love people. You've got to."

He retired from his teaching position 12 years ago and began volunteering part-time at the pantry.

"I couldn't help with the problem in India," Martin said, "But I believe I am helpful here."