The Salvation Army’s Night Watch program resumed for the winter on December 4th and has already served over 5400 meals.
Major Randy Hellstrom, Omaha City Coordinator for the Western Division, says it’s the 30th year of the Night Watch program, which serves warm meals Monday through Friday nights to the homeless and near-homeless in Omaha.
“A lot of the people we serve are people who are just one rent payment away from being kicked out, losing their place. These are people who are just making it hand to mouth. They are just barely making it by. So this meal that we provide for them just helps them stretch their dollars, so they can pay their rent, or pay their utility bills – so it’s one less financial concern that they have to worry about.”
Hellstrom says they have added a third canteen route this year, which has allowed them to serve an additional 1300 meals so far. He says the program is entirely volunteer run, and that they do need additional volunteers going forward.
They also need warm outerwear – particularly hats, gloves, warm socks and large-size coats -- to distribute. These should be dropped off at their Emergency Disaster Services Building at 10629 Burt Circle between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
The website to sign up to volunteer and/or to make a monetary donation is salarmyomaha.org