Nebraska National Guard Soldiers and Airmen and other community members volunteer together at a mobile food drive for the Food Bank of the Heartland, May 2, 2020, in Omaha, Nebraska. The Nebraska National Guard is supporting multiple food bank operations throughout the state during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Nebraska National Guard video by Pfc. Skyler Schendt)
Transcript
What we’re doing is a social distancing drive thru food drive, something that we’ve never really done anything like this in the past. We’re asking the community to bring by nonperishable, shelf stable items of food to donate that we could use to feed families in need of food assistance. Food donations are down right now , and I think for the Heartland, need for emergency food has risen dramatically during so there is there is great need and, I think has been just really overwhelmed by the incredible response received from neighbors wanted to help neighbors. This is a great experience. It’s great to work alongside. A willing partner is straight for the community. Yes, out here working. So I think, I think all around. As far as getting food, everyone’s required to wear an N 95 mask latex clothes, forgetting we’re not really interacting with. People were getting directly into the car trunks back seat, those from the vehicles placing mouths. Little interaction give a shout out, not just to the National Guard, but also our volunteers that are coming way cannot do this work without the help of volunteers. On having the guard alongside our volunteers is has been a tremendous boost to our effort. Um, with the guard alongside our production level of the work that we’re getting done is much higher than it normally is. And again, I think if you’re a regular volunteer and you see a soldier and airman that’s working and doing this work alongside it adds a little more meaning to work being done. I had the opportunity to talk to folks assed there stopped before they were able to go through to donate food. I thank them for coming. Many of them are thanking me and us for doing this, for giving them the opportunity to make a difference in the donate to help the community way live in one of the greatest areas of the country. Because of this way, are seeing the best of our community come out right now while we try to reach out and help our neighbors. This is what makes Nebraska so special. Is its neighbor helping neighbor.