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To help alleviate that situation, UNMC, The Nebraska Medical Center, UNMC Physicians, Clarkson College, Sodexo and Private Practice Associates are joining together to collect food and household items to donate to the Omaha Food Bank. The drive’s slogan is “Our Heartiest Thanks!”
Kelly Goetschkes, an organizer of the Food Bank drive, said collaboration among the entities is a key to the food drive’s success.
“The Nebraska Medical Center, 2009 Nurses Week Committee was discussing ways in which to give back to the community,” said Goetschkes, a chairwoman of the Nurses Week Committee. “The group of nurses decided on a food drive as our own neighbors are needing this service in light of our country’s current economic status. The more we talked about it, the more we saw the potential to make a tremendous difference for the Food Bank.
“The Nebraska Medical Center, UNMC, UNMC Physicians, Clarkson College, Sodexo and Private Practice Associates all have contributed to make this a really significant campaign.”
The food drive will begin on Nov. 10 and run until Nov. 24. Blue barrels will be placed around each campus for food and household items to be dropped off.
Departments will also be given paper bags to fill. These bags can be taken to a drop off location (see below) once full. Bags will be delivered to each mail stop. Limited additional bags may be picked up at the UNMC Public Affairs office on the fifth floor of Swanson Hall.
Each year the food bank distributes between five and 7 million pounds of food. This year the campus-wide goal is to collect a ton of donated goods. More than 300,000 children, families and seniors in Omaha will benefit from the items donated.
John Walburn, M.D., a professor in the UNMC Department of Pediatrics, typically buys an extra can of food each time he visits the grocery store, to give to the Food Bank.
“It takes about two months of consistently buying that extra can of food for it to become a habit. Now, it’s just something I do every time I go to the supermarket,” Dr. Walburn said. “I’m hopeful that this food drive at the med center will encourage others to start this habit. It’s really an easy way that individuals can help to address a tremendous need in the community.”
Some of the items the food bank needs are: canned meats such as tuna, chicken or ham; canned pasta; canned fruits and vegetables; dry beans; rice; “helper” products such as hamburger and tuna helper; pasta and sauce; peanut butter and jelly; baking products such as flour and sugar; ketchup; mustard; diapers; shampoo; toilet paper; laundry supplies and soap.
Barrels for food drop offs will be placed at the following locations on campus:
- 4230 Building (Annex 10)
- Durham Research Center
- College of Nursing
- Munroe-Meyer Institute
- Student Life Center
- Wittson Hall
- Howard Hall Student Center — Clarkson College
- Clarkson Tower Lobby
- University Tower Lobby
- Durham Outpatient Center Lobby
- Clarkson Tower Cafeteria
- University Tower Cafeteria
- 5th floor at 3333 Farnam St. (Mutual location) — Two 55 gallon barrels
- Turner Park at 2955 Farnam St.
- UNMC Community Health Care Center at 5155 D. 36th St.
- Baker Place at 5050 Ames Ave.
- Eagle Run at 13708 W. Maple Road
- Summit Plaza (Bellevue) 3604 Summit Plaza Drive
- Clarkson West at 2727 S. 144th St.
- Brentwood Village at 8021 S. 84th St.
- Plattsmouth at 1938 Highway 34 E
- Specialty Care Center at 804 S. 52nd St.
Those wishing to drop off food at area food banks can do so at the following locations:
Omaha Food Bank
6824 J St.
Omaha, NE 68117
(402) 331-1213
www.omahafoodbank.org
Lincoln Food Bank
4840 Doris Bair Circle, Suite A
Lncoln, NE 68504
402-466-8170
www.lincolnfoodbank.org