Long line forms for United Way's food drop

• Long line

Echo Press photo by Al Edenloff Hundreds of residents showed up for a food drop organized through United Way of Douglas and Pope Counties on August 26 at Lake Community Church on County Road 44.
• Loaded bus

Contributed photo A bus was jam-packed with school supplies as part of the United Way’s Project Community Connect.

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A long line of individuals and families wrapped around Lakes Community Church’s parking lot at this year’s Project Community Connect (PCC) event on August 26.

In its third year, PCC connected more than 647 individuals to health and human service agencies; handed out more than 500 backpacks to school age children; served 425 meals; and distributed more than 20,000 pounds of food.

This “one-stop shop” model connects individuals and families to multiple resources and services they need.

Each guest received help in identifying specific services they otherwise may not have been aware of.

United Way of Douglas and Pope Counties thanked the 43 agencies that offered services, Lake Community Church for its facility, The Salvation Army for providing a meal, the American Dairy Association, Henry’s Foods, Outreach Food Shelf, and more than 100 volunteers that made the day possible.

Local United Way leaders say they’re working to advance the common good by focusing on education, income and health. These, they said, are the building blocks for a good life – a quality education that leads to a stable job, enough income to support a family through retirement and good health.

To help the United Way, go to www.uwdp.org or call (320) 763-4840.

Tags: united way, local news, food drop, news, food, community