Burrows Center Drive-Thru Food Distribution Helps Families Make Ends Meet
Staff and volunteers gave away more than 5,000 pounds of food -- including fresh eggs, produce, meat and non-perishable goods -- to 96 families who attended a drive-thru distribution held on Wednesday, May 5, at The Salvation Army of Omaha’s Burrows Center for Help and Hope. This event was part of the organization’s continuing metro-wide pandemic-relief efforts.
“This is a tremendous help for my family,” said Marie, who has four children. “Feeding the family for the next few weeks is one less struggle I’ll have to worry about. This a real benefit to the community, and someday, if I am able, I hope to be able to pay it forward.”
Craig, who works as a drywaller and is a father of three, said this past year has been especially tough. “I was injured in a car accident, and that, combined with loss of income due to the pandemic, has created financial strain,” he said, adding that he was grateful for the opportunity to supplement his limited grocery budget.
The food distribution was organized as a drive-thru event to maintain pandemic safety protocol. Recipients stayed in their cars while Salvation Army staff and volunteers loaded food boxes into their trunks.
“It went really smoothly,” said Burrows Center Director Tiffanie McCowin. “I’m grateful we have dedicated staff and volunteers who are willing to help make an event like this a success. We are all glad to be able to offer assistance to those who need it the most.”
Robbi, who attended the drive-thru distribution with one of her four grandchildren, said that the extra food helps fill in the gaps. “I’m raising my grandkids, who are not eligible for benefits, and money is really tight,” she said. “The food we get from the Burrows Center is high-quality, including great produce. It helps a lot.”