Article published by Douglas County Post-Gazette
Written by Lance Lawton
VALLEY – DC West Schools has partnered with the Food Bank for the Heartland and United Way of the Midlands to establish a monthly pantry in Valley.
Although the catastrophic floodwaters that swept across Nebraska and western lowa in March have receded from most areas, the Food Bank for the Heartland remains vigilant in monitoring local rivers for rising waters. Thousands of families continue to seek emergency assistance as homes, businesses, farms, ranches, roads and communities are being rebuilt.
Food Bank for the Heartland is committed to helping those experiencing hardship in the aftermath of this natural disaster, and is partnering with United Way of the Midlands and DC West to establish a free monthly mobile food pantry in Valley. This new mobile pantry will Begin on Wednesday, Sept. 11 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. The pantry will be held at the DC West Elementary, located on S. Center Street in Valley. On the second Wednesday of every month, the mobile pantry will come to Valley to provide food for any, members of the community.
“Many residents- in Valley and the surrounding communities are still reeling from the spring flooding,” Brian Barks, president and CEO of Food Bank for the Heartland, said. “The Food Bank has helped provide more than 570,000 disaster relief meals across Nebraska and western lowa. In direct response to the flooding, we started monthly mobile pantries in Schuyler, Nebraska and Sidney, lowa, in June. We are thrilled to be partnering with United Way of the Midlands and DC West Community Schools to establish monthly mobile pantry in Valley. We recognize the ongoing need for individuals and families in these communities.
Approximately 2,000 pounds of food will be available for distribution and will include shelf -stable products like pasta, tomato sauce, rice and canned meats, along with fresh apples, onions, carrots and bakery items.
The mobile pantry is for people that currently live in Valley and the surrounding communities. Those in need of the service are invited to bring boxes or bags to assist in carrying the food they receive. No identification is required to obtain food.
Food Bank for the Heartland’s Mobile Pantry program delivers food directly to communities that have a high need but limited food resources. In fiscal year 2019, more than 250 mobile pantries were held across the Food Banks 93 -county service area, helping approximately 24,746 food -insecure households.
The list of other Food Bank supported mobile pantries is updated each month on the organization’s web site. Information about other disaster relief resources is available on https://foodbankheartland.
org/flooding/. If members of the community are seeking opportunities to help their neighbors in need, they are encouraged to visit www.FoodankHeartland.org to make a donation to disaster relief.