director, Campus Kitchen at UNK, 308.293.1515
More than a month after devastating ice storms swept Nebraska, many Holdrege residents continue to feel the effects.
The community, which had been without power for several weeks as a result of the storms, has seen recovery efforts. However, members of the Campus Kitchen at the University of Nebraska at Kearney recently learned of more problems within the community.
”Apparently, a lot of young families and others in the Holdrege community are having substantial difficulties with finances, and personal supplies are often the point at which expenditures are cut,” Marty Demoret, director of the Campus Kitchen, said. “The food banks have been replenished by now, but there is a lack of supplies, such as diapers, shampoo and toothpaste.”
It is the lack of the supplies that led the student-run organization to plan a supply drive at businesses around Kearney. The supply drive will take place on Saturday, Feb. 10.
Student volunteers from the Campus Kitchen organization will collect the supplies at SunMart and Wal-Mart from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. that day. In addition, drop-boxes will be available throughout the day at K-Mart, Bob’s Super Store, Apple Market and Boogaarts.
Supplies that are collected on Saturday will be placed into care packages by Campus Kitchen volunteers and delivered to the town of Holdrege.
Demoret said that although the Holdrege community again has power and is recovering from the storms, the community still needs help from the surrounding area.
“The number one indicator that Holdrege is still in need is the overwhelming amount of national media coverage that the town is getting,” he said. “When families have to choose between a can of food or personal supplies, they will no doubt choose the food. There is still a need for personal supplies, though.”
