Northwest Community Action Partnership (NCAP) and the Food Bank of the Heartland will be hosting a drive-through Mobile Food Pantry in Alliance on Wednesday, February 24. The mobile food pantry comes to Alliance three times a year. The goal is to provide food where there is a high need but limited resources. The mobile pantry is available free of charge!
Residents of Box Butte County who need assistance are invited to visit the mobile food pantry. They will be asked to sign a slip that says they are income eligible. The Food Bank of the Heartland, out of Omaha, determines what will be delivered each time. Generally, a family receives a box of dry goods, bread, desserts, produce, and meat.
The truck will deliver the food items to the Alliance Senior Center, 212 Yellowstone, on Wednesday morning. RSVP volunteers and NCAP and City employees unload the truck and take everything inside, where it is sorted into the boxes each family will receive.
Prior to the mobile food pantry, a press release will explain the route people are to follow to collect their food. From 4-6 p.m. vehicles will enter the parking lot. Patrons will remain in their vehicle while volunteers load the boxes into their car. Each vehicle will get one set of boxes. Food will not be handed out before 4 p.m., and no vehicle will receive more than one set of boxes. Call NCAP at 308-762-4960 for more information.
For those facing food insecurity, remember that NCAP also operates the Extra Helpings Food Pantry at 1028 E 3rd St in Alliance in Building C, Rooms 100 and 200. The pantry is open Monday and Wednesday 9:30-noon, 1-3. Twice a month a household can pick up boxes of food. Items vary but generally include dry goods, canned vegetables, macaroni, and a protein item, frozen or canned meat. When distancing is no longer required, clients will be able to choose groceries from the shelves. To sign up, phone 308-762-4523. Proof of income is required. On Wednesdays the pantry makes deliveries to people with special needs.
The Hemingford Ministerial Council organizes a food pantry for Hemingford area residents. The food pantry is in the northwest corner of the long white building behind the Mobius/ Hemingford Telephone office building and is open from 4-6 p.m. every Thursday. The food pantry has been funded by grants from Westco and Land O Lakes, and Hemingford residents donate funds and non-perishable food items.
Box Butte County residents can also receive a produce box and a gallon of milk from the Community Cares Food Box Distribution the first and third Fridays of every month. Food is available for pick up at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 2090 Emerson Avenue, Alliance, beginning at 10:30 am. This program, organized by NCAP, United Way, CASH-WA, and Food Bank of the Heartland, has been extended through June.
Volunteers are needed! To help with the Mobile Food Pantry contact RSVP, 308-762-1293. To help staff the NCAP Extra Helpings Food Pantry on Mondays and Wednesdays call 308-762-4523. For the twice monthly Community Cares Food Box Distribution, call United Way at 308-763-8031.
It’s sad that we have these times of economic uncertainty. What a blessing that we have programs to help care for people! If your family needs assistance, please take advantage of food pantries to get the help you need.