Center for People in Need takes over food program ended by Indian Center

A supplemental food program for area residents has changed hands after the Indian Center ended it, and several other programs, earlier this year due to financial woes.

It’s the Supplemental Commodities Food Program- for those who are over 60 and below a certain income.

David Brown, a recipient, said it necessary for those like him who are on social security.

“It helps a lot,” he said.

When his distribution location, Union Manor, got the call that the Indian Center was ending the program, he and fellow residents met, wondering what they were going to do without the extra food.

“We would miss it considerably, I was worried,” Brown said.

But Brown, and the 700 other seniors the program serves, were able to come back again.

The Center for People in Need has taken the program over.

“We work hard to make sure that if there’s a need we’re filling it,” Ashton Juarez with the Center for People in Need said.

The center’s staff, along with the Food Bank’s, now delivers food to 17 different locations across Lancaster, Saunders and Otoe counties.

“We’ve really seen huge relief from people who are coming into get food. We wanted to make sure it was going to continue because it was crucial for them.”

They said the food and locations they stop at remain the same as when the Indian Center was in charge.

The only difference is a new set of smiling faces there to help.

“We’re ecstatic,” Brown said.

If you’re interested in learning more about the Commodities Supplemental Food Program call the Center for People in Need at (402) 476-4357.