Mobile Pantry set June 22 in McCook

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

McCOOK, Neb. — Coordinators of Mobile Pantry events in Hitchcock and Red Willow counties encourage particularly the elderly to shop at the Mobile event in McCook, Saturday, June 22, from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m., in the parking lot of Memorial United Methodist Church at the corner of East First and E Street.

According to national statistics, more than 25 million Americans aged 60 and over are economically insecure and struggle with the cost of adequate nutrition.

Mobile Pantry coordinator Barb Ostrum of McCook says that the Mobile Pantries are here to provide quality food stuffs free of charge for all ages, and are wonderful opportunities for especially senior citizens to get out and mingle, and shop as well. "They get to interact with some great young people, and they really enjoy the fresh produce and special treats," Barb said. And at many Mobile Pantries, there are young volunteer "box boys" to help with the lifting and carrying.

Mobile Pantries supply a lot of the basics needed to put nutritious meals on the table — fresh and canned fruits and vegetables, pastas and sauce, and breads, rolls, "sweet treats" and baked goods. There always seems to be a "surprise" food — ever try a chayote squash? — and a fun food item — canned water or yogurt smoothies — on each truck, coordinators and volunteers notice.

Although meats are seldom part of the truckload of food that arrives, what staples the Mobiles do provide free of charge frees up a chunk of a senior citizen's budget to allow them then to purchase meats, fish and dairy items.

Volunteers also notice that many seasoned Mobile Pantry shoppers wait to make their grocery list until after they see what's delivered by the Mobile Pantry truck.

Everyone is eligible to shop at a Mobile Pantry event. No identification, income verification or paperwork are required, and the questions at check-in are simple: The number and ages of the people living in your household, county of residence, and "Is this your first time at a Mobile Pantry event?" and "How did you hear about the Mobile Pantry?" No names, no personal information.

The only restrictions are that shoppers must live in Nebraska, and, beginning with this McCook event, that a shopper is allowed to shop for his/her household and just one other household — not numerous households as in the past. "We want to be careful to have food available for everyone who comes and waits in line," coordinator JoLyn Hare explains. "If someone shops for a handful of households, that limits the supply available for those who have come to the Mobile Pantry event."

At this Mobile Pantry event in McCook, shoppers may come to the parking lot of the Methodist church, 105 East E, between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. CT (notice the earlier hours, and note too, that it may not be wise to wait until the last minute. When the food is gone, it's gone).

Shoppers must bring their own boxes and bags, and preferably wagons or carts to move them. The elderly and the handicapped are encouraged to bring along their own "muscle" to help with the boxes. Boxes are not available on site, and, due to liability and manpower issues, there is no delivery service.

Mobile Food Pantry events across Nebraska are sponsored by the Food Bank for the Heartland in Omaha. The Food Bank's state-wide Mobile Pantry program is designed to provide food where there is great need and limited resources.

For more information on the McCook event, contact coordinators JoLyn Hare, Culbertson, at (308) 278-2123, or Barb Ostrum, McCook, at (308) 345-1187.

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