Kroc Center Door-to-door Food Distribution
When Auxiliary Captains John and Tracy Gantner realized the neighborhood surrounding the Kroc Center was experiencing some of the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the metro, they knew it was going to have a lasting and dramatic impact, particularly on families who were struggling financially even before the pandemic hit.
“When we had to make the difficult decision to temporarily close our doors in March, our neighborhood families were first and foremost in our hearts and minds,” said Auxiliary Capt. Tracy. “Many of these households were already hurting, and as we began to see and hear about neighbors who were suffering from sickness and job loss and having difficulty accessing food for their families, we knew we needed to do something.”
The Salvation Army is partnering with Food Bank for the Heartland and other local agencies to distribute meals to families at 18 sites around the metro this summer, but Kroc Center staff know that many families in the area have limited transportation, which prohibits them from getting to the food distribution sites. To help bridge the gap, staff and volunteers drive door-to-door to distribute food to families living in apartments and homes in the neighborhoods around the Kroc. The Kroc Center has also partnered with The Salvation Army’s Burrows Center for Help and Hope to provide fresh produce to area families.
“When the kids see the Kroc van pulling into their neighborhoods, they come running,” said Lori Miles, youth development and mission integration specialist at the Kroc Center. “They look forward to the ‘masked visitors’ bringing food, and there are always smiles and ‘thank yous’ in abundance.”
Want to help families in need in the Omaha metro? Consider making a donation to our COVID-19 Relief Fund.