The 18th Annual High Plains Food Bank "Together We Can" food drive will start Monday, December 3. This year the need is still at a high levels to help feed our neighbors in the Panhandle.
"A can of beans isn't anything," said Broc Carter with the High Plains Food Bank. "But a can of beans put into a meal, that were we are going to solve the hunger problem."
The High Plains Food Bank has a goal of raising 500 thousand meals for folks in our area. That equals close to $90,000! Monday through Friday you can bring can goods and non perishable foods to the Market Street United beginning at 9:30 in the morning until 10:30 at night.
"We saw a huge increase in 08," added Carter. "Now it has leveled off but still at high peak needs, not growing at a dramatic rate but its not leveling off".
The High Plains Food Bank is measuring in "meals" this year instead of "pounds", so everyone can understand how much it takes to feed our friends in need.
"We are moving to meals, pounds doesn't mean much to you," he added. "You don't understand what that means you say that you provided this many meals to know what a meal is .. we all know what a meal is".
The Kids Cafe program hit a milestone this year by serving its one millionth meal. Children all over the city are helped by the after school and summer programs that serve snacks and a hot meal Monday through Friday.
"84,000 people are reached every month in the Panhandle, 29 counties, 30,000 square miles we cover," said Carter. "This food drive is extremely important, not for the food bank, but for the people".
