Good Neighbor Community Center in Lincoln makes changes to food distribution system

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Good Neighbor Community Center in Lincoln is shifting away from its drive-thru food distribution system.

Executive Director Tom Ronda said the system was beneficial during the COVID-19 pandemic but has become less efficient due to a volunteer shortage.

“In 2020, what happened was the room became real small, the demand was high, we had to do social distancing,” he said. “This is when we implemented the drive-thru system.”

Ronda said the drive-thru, along with a food delivery service, overwhelmed staff members at the nonprofit.

“It got to a point where we could not handle it anymore, just too many people to serve,” he said. “We didn’t have volunteers, so that meant the regular staff members for GNCC were the ones providing the services.”

After the Food Bank of Lincoln changed its distribution system, the nonprofit needed to switch gears.

“What that means now is that we are going to be picking up food from the stores and bringing it here, directly to us,” Ronda said.

He thinks the new streamlined process will get food to people in need quicker.

Kayla Kelly, a pantry manager at the nonprofit, said this change brings a sense of normalcy back to the pantry.

“We also want to be prepared just in case in the future something happens again,” she said.

As the nonprofit reworks its services, Ronda said he wants the community to recognize that there’s an opportunity to help others across Lincoln.

“This is the first day we’re doing it, we’re still kind of trying to see how it works out,” he said. “We put a post out there on Facebook telling people just to be patient with us as we figure things out.”

Food distribution services on Monday and Wednesday will be offered from 10 a.m. until noon. More information can be found on the Good Neighbor Community Center’s Facebook.