Many volunteers assisted in serving the community at the Food for the Heartland Mobile Food Pantry at Mission Middle School Aug. 15.
The Family and Student Empowerment Team, who are social workers for Bellevue Public Schools, teamed up with Bellevue Police Department, which donated food, and Mission Middle School, whose students and staff stayed after school to help customers with their carts.
Bellevue East and West high school staff and students, church members and Offutt Air Force Base officers also volunteer at the pantry.
The Mobile Food Pantry takes place every third Wednesday of the month at Mission. In its third year, the Mobile Food Pantry helps families and students receive free groceries. More than 100 families attend the pantry each month.
At the event at Mission, there were also school supplies and free hot dogs and burgers, provided by BPD.
“We wanted to make it more of a community event, not so much just coming in need, but coming to be part of the community,” said Emily Arkfeld, a social worker for BPS.
The FASE Team is also looking forward to themed food drives during Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day and other holidays.
“We want to make it more community-focused and more welcoming,” said Susie Jones, a social worker for BPS.
Sgt. Howard Banks, the School Resource Officer supervisor for BPD, said he’s always looking for different ways for BPD to get involved with the community.
“We’re trying to make a difference in the community and make sure families, and especially kids, are taken care of,” Banks said.
Jones said the pantry helps take away some stigma people might have for those in need.
“Everybody goes through something,” she said. “It’s a place for everybody.”
Arkfeld said she enjoys seeing all the families come through and building relationships with them.
“We hope to bring out more people who might not have originally come and asked for help,” Arkfeld said.
Banks said it was great working with all the volunteers at the event.
“It’s good getting out here for something positive,” he said.
