Dates: November 8 & 9 | Location: St. Patrick’s Catholic School, 20500 W Maple Rd, Elkhorn, NE 68022
Many western Douglas County families are facing an unexpected and stressful gap in food assistance. Due to delays in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, thousands of households who rely on that aid to buy groceries are struggling to put food on the table right now.
In response, we are organizing an special community food drive on November 8–9 at St. Patrick’s Catholic School in Elkhorn to help bridge that gap.
How You Can Help
We’re collecting non-perishable food items to provide immediate relief and supplementing those donations with fresh perishable foods purchased through financial contributions. **To make room in our warehouse and pantry for the increase in food distribution, we are pausing our clothing and household collection at COPE for while. Thank you for your understanding.
Here’s how you can get involved:
🥫 Bring non-perishable food donations to St. Patrick’s school campus during drop-off hours on Saturday and Sunday, November 8 & 9, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. See our list of most needed non-perishable food items.
💳 Donate online to help us purchase perishable foods such as milk, produce, eggs, and meat for families in need.
🙌 Volunteer to collect and sort donations during the food drive.
📢 Spread the word by sharing this with your friends, coworkers, and neighbors.
🫶 If you need help, sign up here to be notified about upcoming food distribution events once details are confirmed.
Most Needed Items
We’ll post a full updated list soon, but these items are always in high demand:
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- Canned fruits and vegetables (low-sodium preferred)
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- Canned beans, soups, and proteins (tuna, chicken, chili)
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- Dry pasta, rice, or grains
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- Cereal and oatmeal
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- Peanut butter and nut butters
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- Shelf-stable milk or milk alternatives
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- Snack items (granola bars, crackers, fruit cups)
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- Baby food and formula
**To make room in our warehouse and pantry for the increase in food distribution, we are pausing our clothing and household collection at COPE for while. Thank you for your understanding.
Why This Matters
When a vital safety net like SNAP is interrupted, even for a short time, families who already live paycheck to paycheck can face impossible choices—between groceries, rent, and medication. Your support will help us act quickly to fill that gap and make sure no one in our community goes hungry during this difficult moment.
Together, we can ensure our neighbors have what they need—right now, when it’s needed most