On December 20, 2024, Lincoln South Rotary Club heard from Michaella Kumke, CEO and President of the Food Bank of Lincoln. Be sure to read the entire story including a touching Thank You message Michaela shared with us.
It was the Lincoln South Rotary Club Holiday Lunch and included singing a festive carol - Jingle Bells.
We collected donations for the Food Bank and listened to Michaela as she shared information about the latest activities of the Food Bank and volunteer opportunities.
Michaela stated that this year they added 3 new Lincoln schools for a total of 110 school partners. A total of 1,226 back packs go home weekly through elementary schools. About 4,190 students "shop" at the markets that are in the middle and high schools. And, they serve 945 schools in rural areas.
The Back Pack program is in its 20th year of service. It started with 50 kids at Clinton Elementary School. Michaela shared the story of Elijah Riley* from the Lincoln Journal Star (click here for the story). She talked about how the Back Pack program impacted Elijah and how he helps youth today. She also said that there are "other Elijahs" out there today who are benefiting from the Back Pack program and will have similar stories as Elijah. We can be proud of the impact and the benefit to our families.
The total service area of the Food Bank of Lincoln and Lancaster County includes 16 counties over 9,200 square miles. There are an estimated 64,500+ people in that area who are food insecure including 20,320 children under the age of 18. About 1 in 5 children may not have reliable and consistent access to enough food to live active, healthy lives.
Michaela said that she knew that she did not need to preach to our Club - that we believe in The Food Bank. She has the honor of leading the program but it only happens because people care.
She said that there are some specific volunteer needs if anyone is interested:
- - Bryan Community School where the LPS Emergency Pantry is located - 3-5:30 PM M,W,F
- - At the Food Bank Center - front office - help with phones, directing and assisting walk-ins - 9-11AM daily
- - Advocacy and education - with each legislation session there are new issues
She shared a Thank You note she received and said that we should consider that a Thank You to us for our generosity.
We don't "look" like we need help from The Food Bank (ok house, ok car, clothed decently). But, recently a medical event wiped out our savings, took all of our money that wasn't going to bills, and forced us to choose between food and medicine. Our credit card was maxed out after a month.
We got food from the food bank distribution. It kept us fed during a really dark and trying time.We work really hard and have good jobs but it only took one month & one event to decimate our finances to the point we couldn't buy food.We never felt judged at the food distribution even though we felt ashamed.
We are getting back on our feet as a family and wanted to say thank you. What you do matters and is saving families.
A Lincoln Mama
The donations from the lunch and online totaled over $2,000. From the website of the Food Bank they can provide about 2 meals for each $1 donated - so we are providing 4,000 meals. You can still donate - see the article on our website (click here) for instructions.
*Elijah Riley is with Big Gumdrop Outdoors and is our speaker on January 3, 2025.