(Kansas City, USA) The Redemptorist Social Services Center is fighting hunger in Kansas City with a new drive-through distribution initiative. In collaboration with Loffredo Foods and the USDA Farmers to Families Food Box Program, volunteers are distributing 28 pounds of produce and dairy products to families experiencing financial challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“With all the financial uncertainty for those who are unemployed or furloughed, we want to ensure that families don’t have to worry about putting food on the table,” explained Julie McCaw, executive director of the Social Services Center. “So many people have taken such significant pay cuts that they simply cannot make ends meet. Many had to close their businesses and aren’t back on their feet. Until a few weeks ago, we were one of the few food pantries open, and the number of people we serve is consistently growing. We’re fairly small in size and budget, but we have been told that we are working at the same rate or better than some of the largest food banks in the area. We’re small, but we’re mighty!”
About 20 volunteers of all ages help distribute food every other week. Plans are to continue distributing food to the community as long as the donations are available.
“Our volunteers have been amazing! The little ones are just as busy as the adults,” Julie said. “We have also been fortunate that off-duty KCPD officers (above) have delivered about 400 boxes of food to families that are not able to get here to pick up food. Especially in light of the current situation, we can proudly say that there are good men and women police officers who are doing great things for our community.”
Submitted by Kristine Stremel
Photos courtesy of Emily Weston/Firefly Productions
DenverLink Update, June 12, 2020
