The Salvation Army Partners with Food Bank to Provide 26,000 Meals Weekly
For thousands of food-insecure children and their families affected by the recent COVID-19-related school closures across the metro, this is an especially scary time. Approximately 43 percent of children in Nebraska receive free or reduced-priced school lunches; in some schools, the numbers are as high as 80 to 90%. Since many schools are closed, children and their families are seeking other resources for critical meals.
In response to this dire need, The Salvation Army of Omaha and Council Bluffs is partnering with Food Bank for the Heartland, Westside Nutritional Services, Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue, local school districts and other nonprofit organizations to launch the Mobile Backpack Program. This initiative will deliver free meal bags to 13 sites across the Omaha metro and Council Bluffs through April 20 (at which point Food Bank for the Heartland will assess ongoing needs).
The food trucks will deliver meals to each site once a week in the afternoon or evening via a drive-up distribution to prioritize the health and safety of the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sites include parking lots of metro area schools and nonprofit organizations.
For a list of the food distribution locations, dates and times, visit our Facebook page or Food Bank for the Heartland’s website.
The Mobile Backpack Program will distribute 26,000 meals each week to 2,600 children in need. A meal bag will be offered for each child in a household. The Food Bank is working with school districts and other partners to identify sites that will support, but not duplicate, existing services.
Plus, The Salvation Army greatly appreciates donations of non-perishable food items to support its Burrows Center food pantry at 6101 NW Radial Hwy. in the Benson Neighborhood. Donations can be brought to the Burrows Center Monday through Friday between 8:30 am. and 4:30 p.m.
Monetary donations to The Salvation Army’s COVID-19 Relief Fund can be made online here or via check, mailed to: The Salvation Army Western Division, COVID-19 Relief Fund, 10755 Burt Street, Omaha, NE 68114.
Donations to this fund will be designated specifically to cover basic needs expenses, including food and assistance with utility bills and rent payments.