Editorial

Time to step forward for the Pantry

Friday, August 6, 2004

It's time to step forward with gifts of food to the McCook Pantry. The need was brought to our attention Thursday when we learned in a front page story in the Gazette that the shelves of the Pantry are "getting dangerously bare."

We can't let this situation continue. Over the years, the people of Southwest Nebraska have been wonderful about helping families who don't have the money or the means to buy food. We've done this through the McCook Pantry, which has been there, year-around, to assist home folks and strangers in times of dire need.

With our gifts, we need to restock the Pantry shelves. To do so, McCook residents may leave boxes of non-perishable food on their front porches next week for pickup by McCook Boy Scouts. The Scouts will be going door-to-door during the week of Aug. 9-13. Or, if it's more convenient, people from the McCook area may bring their food contributions to the Pantry on Saturday, Aug. 14. The Pantry is located inside the north door of the Canterbury House at 509 West First Street. The Canterbury House is immediately south of St. Alban's Episcopal Church.

The Pantry is the local life-line for those in need. We need to restock the shelves.

Bison Respected Statewide -- As the result of winning two straight Class B state football championships, the McCook High School Bison have earned statewide respect for their talents and tenacity.

This was shown earlier this summer when a statewide publication, Huskerland Prep Report, rated the Bison Number One in Class B in pre-season rankings. At this point that's just a prediction, and the Bison will have to prove their right to the ranking on the field.

But it's a feather in McCook's cap to be held in such high regard. Cambridge and Imperial are also to be complimented for their pre-season Top Ten rankings, with Huskerland Prep placing Cambridge at No. 4 in Class C-2 and Imperial at No. 7 in Class C-1.

Calling All Candidates -- The McCook City Council has not yet decided how it's going to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Jerry Reitz, but it's likely there will be a temporary appointment and a special ballot at the November election.

Whatever the case, one thing is certain. The community needs a top-notch leader to step forward to help guide McCook during a time of difficult and demanding decisions. If you know a capable candidate, have them call the mayor, Jerda Garey, or one of the other members of the council: Phil Lyons, Dick Trail or Jim Kenny. They can advise those interested on how to go about the quest for council service.

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