Families To Have Brighter Thanksgiving Due To Food Pantry

Almost 150 families will have a brighter holiday thanks to the Mobile Food Pantry. 

Nothing says Thanksgiving more than giving to those less fortunate, and Tuesday night's food pantry is just one example of how people in Antelope County choose to give back. 

The food pantry was started in February by the former Methodist pastor, and after she left for another church the program was taken over by Jeanie and Lyle Juracek of Neligh. It is now held every month at the American Legion Hall in Neligh. 

Food is provided by the Heartland Food Bank out of Omaha. Heartland pays half of what the products cost and the local organization pays the rest. They thrive off of donations and have a bank account at Pinnacle Bank in Neligh. 

They never know exactly what is going to be coming on the truck for food, so they have to sort the packages and determine how many families are coming and how they will distribute the food. 

According to organizer, Jeanie Juracek there are usually about 145 families per month that come from 7 different counties. 

There are 20-30 volunteers from the community that come to help unload the truck, organize and distribute food. Some volunteers even collect food for individuals who are unable to make it.

"It's valuable for me because there is a need for it in this county and surrounding counties." Juracek said., "Some people that live on a fixed incomes don't have many choices, and this gives them a choice of having food or not having food."

She said that knowing this makes her feel good. 

"It makes a lot of the people that volunteer month in and month out feel good, cause they know that they're helping these people." 

With Thanksgiving near the food products distributed included turkey dinners, green bean casserole and desserts, so everyone would have a chance to celebrate the holiday. 

"That's why it's so important," Juracek said, "and that's why we do it, because it is necessary."