After this summer’s Farmers to Families Food Box distributions, it was evident that there is a huge need in Box Butte County for food assistance. Food pantries, commodities distributions, and Community Table are overwhelmed.
A partnership between Food Bank of the Heartland and CASH-WA was created to help serve this need, called Community Cares Food Distribution Program. They have been coordinating with Northwest Community Action Partnership and United Way to help serve those experiencing food insecurity.
On the first and third Fridays from November through January food boxes will be available for pick-up at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 2090 Emerson Avenue in Alliance, beginning at 10:30 am. There will be six distributions, with the first being this Friday, November 6.
Food will be handed out on a first come, first served basis. Each vehicle will receive a 15-pound box of produce, with both fruits and vegetables, and one gallon of milk.
Patrons should enter St. John’s parking lot, driving on Emerson Avenue from the north, entering through the north entrance. They will then proceed into the parking lot to the designated area. Patrons will not exit their vehicle. Volunteers will load one fruit and vegetable box and one gallon of milk into their vehicle. They will then exit through the south driveway and head south on Emerson Avenue.
Groups or individuals interested in volunteering to distribute the food should call United Way at 763-8031.
There is no CARES Act funding for this round of food distribution as there was for the summer Farmers to Families Food Boxes. Instead, the food is being provided by Food Bank of the Heartland and CASH-WA.
CASH-WA Distributing is the largest independent food service distributor in the Midwest and Great Plains, delivering in all or part of eleven states. The company was founded in Kearney in 1934 and has distribution centers in several states, with the nearest center being in Sidney. They provide food products, supplies, and equipment to area restaurants and convenience stores.
Food Bank of the Heartland provides emergency and supplemental food to the people in need in Nebraska and western Iowa. Founded in 1981 and headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, Food Bank of the Heartland is a nonprofit organization that distributes food to 600 food pantries, schools, emergency shelters and other nonprofit partners. They work with individuals, organizations, food manufacturers and distributors, grocery stores, the USDA, and Feeding America to procure food. The Food Bank also purchases food to supplement donations. For every dollar received, they can provide three meals.
Fighting hunger is an ongoing, collaborative effort. Through the Community Cares Food Distribution Program Food Bank of the Heartland, CASH-WA, NCAP, and United Way are working together to help fight hunger in our area.