The holidays will soon be here. Traditionally both Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations involve family get-togethers with large dinners. How do food insecure families afford this when their limited budgets are already spent, especially when things like utility bills are much higher in the winter?
Holiday food baskets have been provided for several years to families in our area, Box Butte County residents that are experiencing hunger.
United Way partners with Safeway for the Nourishing Neighbors Program, and all Thanksgiving baskets are provided through this program. Thanksgiving baskets are in the form of a Safeway food gift card. All funds raised for the local Thanksgiving gift cards are from community donations at the Safeway register. When the cashier asks if you would like to donate to Turkey Bucks, those donations are pooled together for food-only gift cards to Safeway for area families and individuals that need help. The number of gift cards that will be given out depends on the Turkey Buck donations received at Safeway.
All donations are used for Thanksgiving basket gift cards for Box Butte County residents who have applied through United Way’s website. To qualify for a food basket gift card to Safeway, households must apply online at https://uwwn.org/holidayfood. Applicants must certify that their family is in need of food assistance and that they meet the 2023 HHS poverty guidelines. These guidelines are listed on the website. Completed applications are stamped with the time and date they are received, and the Thanksgiving food basket cards are awarded on a first-come first-served basis. Dollar amounts are based on the size of the household. Recipients will be notified no later than November 20, 2023. Remember that there are computers at the library you can use if you don’t have one at home.
Households use the same form on the United Way website to apply for Christmas baskets. The food is provided in partnership with Safeway in Alliance, the Alliance Ministerial Association and the generous citizens of our communities. The last day to sign up for a Christmas food basket is Monday, December 4.
For many years churches collected items, put them into boxes, and delivered them throughout the county. Several years ago, United Way of Western Nebraska became the coordinator of the food basket program. Churches, schools, and local organizations all collect food for the boxes, and people can give monetary donations through United Way, their church, or Safeway.
Applicants will receive a phone call by December 14. The call will confirm that they will be receiving a food basket and give pick-up details. If the phone is not answered, a message will be left. Recipients must return the phone call within two hours of being notified. Otherwise, the basket will be given to the next person on the list.
Boxes will be available for pick-up on Thursday, December 21 from noon to 1:30 pm. United Way is not able to hold the food baskets. If you have requested a food basket, please be available to pick up your basket on that date, 12-21, beginning at noon. You must pick up your own food basket. Limited delivery is available for homebound recipients.
If you have questions about the program or need assistance in applying, please call the Alliance United Way Office (308-763-8031) or Scottsbluff Office (308-635-2522). You may need to leave a message, as they are short staffed at this time. You may also email kbenzel@uwwn.org to reach Karen Benzel, Executive Director of United Way of Western Nebraska.
Volunteers are needed to help with the Christmas Food Basket program. If you can assist, please contact Karen Benzel.