Brandon Deines, President of the Board of Directors of Just Food, presented a program on the activities of the Douglas County Food Bank.
Brandon grew up in Hoxie, Kansas where he spent many hours working in the family grocery store. That early experience and a desire to serve the community made his commitment to Just Food a good match.
Just Food supplies more than 40 partner agencies with fresh produce, frozen meat, bread and other food. Client services also include instruction on growing vegetables and healthy cooking classes. The organization believes that access to nutritious food is a fundamental human right and they also teach self- sufficiency.
Just Food collaborates with numerous community partners and over 400 annual food drives. Gifts of cash are particularly welcome as currency provides the most efficient way feed people. An annual dance and a fundraising dinner both receive considerable community support. The Just Food Pantry is open five days a week and clients may fill a bag or box with food once a month. However, fresh vegetables and bread are available daily. A mobile food pantry and several other pantry sites also serve clients.
Client eligibility is capped at 185 % of the Federal Poverty Index, that translates into some 19,000 people in Douglas County who are identified at risk or in need of food. The need is great, as Just Food served 13,000 clients in 2016, all by 3.75 employees and gracious volunteers clocked in over 18,000 hours.
Brandon concluded that there still is a great need and the community response has been gratifying. For more information about Just Food visit their website at http://justfoodks.org/
