Apr 12, 2020

1,000 cars line up for Nebraska food handout

Posted Apr 12, 2020 9:45 PM

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) - Volunteers estimate about 1,000 cars lined up in Grand Island, Nebraska to pick up 25-pound boxes of food during a mobile food bank distribution Saturday.

The Food Bank for the Heartland's Loaves & Fishes food handout was cancelled in March as the coronavirus pandemic struck, The Grand Island Independent reported. Typically, only 400-450 people pick up food at the events.

On Saturday, drivers stayed in the cars as volunteers loaded food including apples, potatoes and bread into their trunks. The event normally is held at the city's Utilities Department garage but on Saturday was moved to Fonner Park.

The Rev. Kelly Karges of Trinity United Methodist Church, which helped hand out food, said cars started lining up two hours in advance.

Volunteers with the church estimated about 1,000 cars showed up, but there was only enough food for 750 families.

Organizers plan to hold another food distribution in May.