Community News

Update: Two Locations For WOWT Holiday Food Drive

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Reporter: WOWT

Mark your calendar for the WOWT Holiday Food Drive on Saturday, December 1st. We will be holding our food drive in conjunction with the Holiday Market at Aksarben Village and, for the first time, in Papillion.

WOWT anchors and photographers will be in the parking lot of Aspen Fitness to take donations and load a truck, provided by Two Men and a Truck, and in the Hy-Vee parking lot at Shadow Lake Towne Center in Papillion. Canned food items can be donated from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at either location.

All proceeds will benefit the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry. General Manager Dan Detches says the need is huge this year. The organization has been forced to turn people away and cut their pantry days down to just one a week.

"There's a lot of people out there that really could use the food pantry and stuff and to cut it off like that it's tough for us to do, to see that happen, but we have no choice at this time."

The following items are the basic staples provided in pantry bags and in short supply:

Peanut Butter

Macaroni and Cheese

Raw Spaghetti

Pasta Sauce

Canned Fruit

Canned Vegetables

Cereal

Canned Soup

Saltine Crackers

Packaged Cookies

Canned Tuna/Chicken

Toilet Paper

Milk - 1/2 gallon

Juice - 1/2 gallon

Coffee

Trial Size Personal Care Products

Last year, the WOWT Holiday Food Drive collected 7,000 pounds of food. The goal is to double that number in 2012.

For those who can't make it to the food drive on December 1st, a text option is available. Text 6HELPS to 313131 to make a monetary donation. You will be asked to enter the amount you are donating, which is charged to your credit card. All data is encrypted and stored securely. Users will receive a receipt for their income taxes.