Food pantries rely on local donations to meet needs
Community food pantries do their best to keep up with the request from individuals and families for assistance in getting food. So far, perhaps because during the holidays people think about the economic struggles some families are facing, pantry shelves aren’t exactly bare, but centers know donations generally slack off after Christmas. Each center hopes people remember them all year long because their cupboards are needed all year long.
The most common shortages for the centers are similar: peanut butter, juices, canned fruit, soda crackers, spaghetti sauce, pancake mix and syrup, and cash. Cash donations generally go toward those staples that can feed a family. Other non-perishable items are welcome, too.
Typically the centers prefer to work with the Department of Human Services (DHS), 1109 Highland Avenue in Red Oak because DHS can help with a variety of needs, including food, and services aren’t duplicated.
Christ’s Cupboard, located in the same building as the Latino Center just up from the northeast corner of Fountain Square, has hours coinciding with the Latino Center. They are open Wednesday’s from 3-5 p.m. and Thursdays from 4:30-7 p.m. for either donations or to make requests for assistance. The cupboard also has a food box sitting near Fareway Grocery Store’s exit so shoppers can leave extra cans of food or other household supplies for the pantry.
To make a donation or to request assistance from Christ’s Cupboard, call Marian Carlson, 623-6909. Their policy has been to provide for individuals three times per year and the service is a ministry of First Covenant Church in Red Oak.
The church’s volunteers sort and distribute clothing and household items for the adjoining Latino Center, which is overseen by Jenny Horner. She said the center can often use furniture and household items as well as food and cash donations.
“The needs are up because of job losses,” Horner said, “but people seem to be trying to make it on their own so we’ve not seen a huge surge.” She adds that she’s grateful for what she calls, “brisk donations” this season, and thinks people like to have their gifts help meet local needs. To donate to the Latino Center, call 623-3591 and they’ll arrange for pick up if necessary.
Both Christ’s Cupboard and West Central Development Corporation were especially busy supplying Thanksgiving baskets with meat certificates and they suspect a similar amount will be needed for Christmas dinners. Each pantry does say it’s best if families work with DHS when possible.
West Central Development Corporation’s senior aide, Norma Jean Mullenix, said they are open from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. for food delivery or pick up. Mullenix says it’s best if recipients work with DHS, but they won’t turn anyone away if they’re hungry.
“We use guidelines and generally offer a three day supply that meets basic needs,” Mullenix said, speaking of their pantry at 1411 North 2nd Street in Red Oak. “Because of the generosity of donations recently, we’ve been able to be a little more generous if there’s a need. But it’s like feast or famine,” she said, indicating donations are up during the holidays but will likely go down after the first of the year.
Church of the Nazarene, 1104 North 4th Street, has its pantry open on Wednesdays from 1-5. They welcome food and cash donations, too, but they work with Omaha’s food pantry system to buy more food for less money when they are able to send a truck to pick up supplies. The number for arranging to use that pantry is 623-3484.
On Thursdays during the winter months, Red Oak’s Presbyterian Church, 511 East Coolbaugh Street, offers a soup supper to the community on a free-will donation basis. The soup kitchen is open for anyone who’d like to enjoy visiting over a hot bowl of soup.