Burrows Center Drive-thru Pantry Helps Fill the Food Gap for Families during the Pandemic
Dozens of cars idled in the parking lot, out the driveway and down NW Radial Highway on Wednesday, June 10, as people waited in line to receive a food box from the Salvation Army’s Drive-thru Food Pantry at the Burrows Center for Help and Hope.
“This means a lot. Buying food gets expensive,” said Patricia, who has four children. “I find myself spending between $200 and $300 a week and still sometimes run short, so it’s nice to be able to come here.”
Staff and volunteers distributed food boxes -- each of which contained supplies for three to five days of well-balanced meals -- to 463 people Wednesday evening.
“We’re seeing families who are finding themselves financially challenged, and for many of them, this is a place they’ve never been before,” said Salvation Army Western Divisional Secretary Maj. Adam Moore.
The drive-thru food pantry was organized as a safe, socially distant means for people to get the help they need amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Participants stayed in their car as staff and volunteers placed the food boxes in their trunks or back seats.
Patricia acknowledged that the drive-thru approach helped her feel safer. “We are mostly staying in the house because I worry about the kids and myself, so this was wonderful. You just pull up, they put the food in and then you can leave,” she said.
Those who were not able to make it to last week’s drive-thru pantry and are still in need of food should call the Burrows Center for Help and Hope at 402-898-6090 for assistance.
“People are still struggling. Kids are out of school now, and the dollar is not stretching as far as it used to,” said Maj. Moore. “We understand that people can use some extra assistance right now, and The Salvation Army is honored to help meet that need.”