Omaha South High School has kicked off a food drive to benefit the Heartland Hope Mission that will run from now until November 15. The National Honor Society (NHS) and Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) are collaborating to address a significant rise in community need. 

Josephine Zbylut-Birky, a leader in NHS, explained the drive’s importance. “Heartland Hope Mission has reported a 227 percent increase in demand for food which highlights how critical this initiative is,” she said. “Major York from JROTC suggested we join forces to create a larger impact.” 

The food drive will focus on collecting non-perishable items such as canned goods, cereal, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter and jelly. Students and community members can drop off donations at several locations including the main office, library, counseling office and Hope Center. 

The food drive will help South Omaha families keep their cupboards full of everyday necessities. With the increasing need, Heartland Hope Mission is experiencing a very low inventory of staple pantry items. The Food Drive Committee aims to collect more than 800 items with a hopeful goal closer to 1500 items. 

“Every donation counts,” Zbylut-Birky emphasized. “We encourage everyone to participate and help support families in need within our community. This is a great way to give back as we approach the holiday season.” 

Once collected, the staple pantry items will be taken to Heartland Hope Mission on 20th & U streets. Heartland Hope workers and volunteers will sort through the donations to ensure nothing is expired and then categorize the items for their pantries. They will then prepare boxes for families during distribution times. 

The items collected are vital for the families that visit Heartland Hope Mission. “How would your life be without food? If you had to wonder where your next meal was coming from, especially as a young child,” Zbylut-Birky said. “It is important to remember that one cannot think well or sleep well if one has not eaten well, so please donate!”  

For more information about the food drive or how to get involved, contact Zbylut-Birky or visit the school’s website at https://www.ops.org/south. Together, we can make a meaningful difference this season.