Mobile Pantry in McCook June 25
McCOOK, Neb. -- The Food Bank for the Heartland truck will haul 15,000 pounds of food to McCook for a one-day "Mobile Pantry" in McCook Saturday, June 25.
Local coordinators JoLyn Hare of Culbertson and Barb Ostrum of McCook hope to distribute all 15,000 pounds to shoppers who come to the Mobile Pantry between 10 a.m. and noon at McCook Christian Church, 507 West B.
Hare and Ostrum are asking for volunteers to help unload the truck, stock tables and help shoppers carry their food to their cars. Ostrum asks that anyone interested in a community project by helping the Mobile Pantry -- individuals, Scouts, 4-H'ers, clubs and organizations -- is encouraged to call her at the McCook office of Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska, (308) 345-1187, Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m until 5 p.m., and Friday, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., before coming to the Mobile Pantry Saturday.
The Mobile Pantry program of the Food Bank for the Heartland, located in Omaha, was created to provide food where there is a high need but limited resources. The foods for the Mobile Pantries have included fresh breads, rolls and baked goods, cereals, pasta and fresh fruits, vegetables and meats, as well as some non-perishable canned foods.
Anyone living in Southwest Nebraska can participate in the McCook Mobile Pantry; they MUST be Nebraska residents. There are no income restrictions and these are quality foods, Hare said.
Coordinators stress emphatically that shoppers MUST bring their own boxes and bags -- laundry baskets, little red wagons and small, collapsable wheeled shopping carts (all with clean wheels, please) work well-- because boxes ARE NOT available at the site. Shoppers, especially the elderly or handicapped, are encouraged not to shop alone, as there is a lot of food available and boxes can get heavy, according to Hare and Ostrum. Shoppers are also asked not to wait until the last minute because the distribution is on a first-come, first-served basis. When the food is gone, it's gone.
Mobile Pantries in Southwest Nebraska will follow this schedule throughout the remainder of the year:
* Saturday, July 23, Hitchcock County, Palisade school gym, 10 a.m. until noon, 8,000 pounds.
* Saturday, Aug. 13, Dundy County, Benkelman, location to be determined, 10 a.m. until noon MT, 6,000 pounds.
* Saturday, Oct. 8, Hitchcock County, Stratton, location to be announced, 10 a.m. until noon, 7,000 pounds.
* Saturday, Nov. 19, McCook/Red Willow County, (tentative date; location to be announced).
* Saturday, Dec. 10, Hitchcock County, Culbertson, location to be announced, 10 a.m. until noon, 8,000 pounds.