By Katie Schubert
Omaha, NE – The city of Omaha and Salvation Army are seeking donations of soup, canned vegetables, and other non-perishable items.
The co-sponsored food drive runs through October 4th. Salvation Army of Omaha spokeswoman Susan Eustice says funding for food pantries has been cut at the same time the need for assistance is rising. "The Salvation Army alone faces a loss of $13,000 for the food due to those cutbacks, it was FEMA funding for the National Emergency Food and Shelter board program, which of course puts the Salvation Army in a difficult situation at a time when the demand for food is up some 40 percent."
The Salvation Army of Omaha buys the food for its pantry from the Food Bank for the Heartland, which also faces a critical shortage of non-perishable items. Eustice says many of the people coming in are new to the Salvation Army and need help paying their rent and utility bills in addition to food assistance.
Donation bins are located on each floor of the Omaha-Douglas Civic Center, as well as at Omaha Police and Fire stations. Eustice says among the most needed items are canned vegetables and meats, pasta, boxed meals, soup, and cereal.