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McCook business quietly serves community
McCOOK, Neb. - One community-minded McCook business has captured the attention of the McCook Chamber of Commerce. They weren’t looking for attention, but the Chamber has found Whitaker’s Furniture worthy of the Fourth Quarter Honor Business Award.
“Nothing brings more pride as a Chamber Director than hearing how organizations and businesses in our community work together to help McCook thrive,” said Director Sarah Schneider. “It is even more meaningful when we learn that one of our members has been quietly making such a difference behind the scenes.”
Owners Jeff Whitaker and Terri Gray have been ensuring McCook residents have access to the Community Action Partnership Commodity (CAP) Supplemental Food Program for at least the last six months. The state funding to bring the truck all the way to McCook was cut in August 2025, but it does stop in Arapahoe every other month.
“People would come to McCook from Imperial, from Hayes Center, from Benkelman and from around. Everybody who used to come to McCook could come to Arapahoe to pick up their stuff,” Gray said. “Well, that poses more hardship on people who are already having hardship, and that would cause a lot more people to be on the road.”
The program allows those age 60 and over to pick up a free box of shelf-stable food. Barb Ostrum, CAP volunteer and former Community Service Coordinator for 30 years, said the Arapahoe stop serves close to 90 families and is increasing. Ostrum told Whitaker and Gray about the issue, and they didn’t hesitate to come to the rescue.
“They’re utilizing their time, their gas, their staff and their vehicle. We wouldn’t have been able to do this if it weren’t for them,” Ostrum said. “They’ve been a great partner for the community for years. They’re really unsung heroes.”
Gray and Ostrum head to Arapahoe early in the morning on delivery day, and a forklift loads four pallets of food onto the truck, which hold around 3,000 pounds. The load of food is taken to the Red Willow County Fairgrounds, where folks line up with their cars for the boxes.
“We help unload it and put it into people’s cars. It’s a good community project,” Gray said, adding that during their last haul, three of their employees, as well as volunteers from Anytime Fitness and community volunteers, showed up to help.
The store’s service to the community has stretched longer than six months, however. For over 20 years, the business has been lending its truck for the McCook Toybox, Coat Closet Giveaway and other community projects.
Whitaker’s Furniture started its own Preloved Program four and a half years ago. They save the gently used furniture hauled away for customers and store it until there is a need in the community.
“We always have beds, sofas and recliners. It’s mostly living room furniture. Occasionally, a dining room set,” Whitaker said. “Then Terri emails the churches. We will sometimes deliver, too.”
Gray added that they don’t just offer that program in McCook. They have relationships with other communities they deliver to that will let them know if someone is in need, such as a family with a limited income or one that has lost everything in a fire.
“We’ve been very blessed here. We need to help when we can, wherever we can,” said Gray. “We just love to be part of the community that we live in. You know, we do want everybody to be a little better than they were when they came in.”
Whitaker, a third-generation owner of the store, and Gray took ownership of the store in July 2021 after his father, Bill’s, death. The business will celebrate 60 years of serving the community in July, and is in the process of planning a celebration.