The first week of the Johnson County Friends Feeding Friends (JC-FFF) summer food program was nothing short of spectacular! Our mobile food van rolled out with high hopes and a heart full of mission, and the community response was overwhelming.
“We really had no idea how many kids to expect, so the first week was a real ‘pilot’ week for us,” said Breean Waller, our dedicated Program Coordinator. And what a pilot week it turned out to be! The turnout exceeded all expectations, showing just how important and needed this program is.
Meeting Demand and Overcoming Hurdles
JC-FFF is proud to partner with DJ’s for our deli meat, cheese, and lettuce. But figuring out the right amount to order has been a learning curve. “Trying to figure out how much to order without having too much or too little is the real hurdle,” Breean explained.
On our first day, we planned for 30 lunches, but the demand was so high that we ran out halfway through our service. This led to a quick trip to the store to restock, ensuring no child left hungry. By Thursday, we doubled our numbers, but still needed an additional 20 lunches to meet the demand.
Thursday brought additional challenges. We encountered our first logistical hiccup when we couldn’t plug into an electrical outlet and had to use a generator for the first time. Thankfully, everything worked out well, boosting our confidence in running the mobile van. Every day brings new lessons, and each time we serve lunches, we learn a bit more about what is useful to have in the van.
Community Partners and Support
We couldn’t have done this without the incredible support from our community partners. A special thank you goes to the Hughes Charitable Foundation for helping make this dream come true. And a big shout-out to Breadboard of Buffalo for providing us with the delicious bread that makes our sandwiches so special!
Where to Find Us
You can find the JC-FFF Mobile Food Van every Tuesday at the Buffalo City Park, Train Side, and every Thursday at the Johnson County Library. 11:00am – 12:30pm. We are excited to continue serving our community and look forward to seeing more smiling faces in the weeks to come.
Looking Ahead
Our first week has shown us the power of community and the impact we can make together. We’re eager to continue refining our operations to meet the growing demand and ensure no child in Johnson County goes hungry this summer.
Stay tuned for more updates and stories from our journey. Together, we’re making a difference, one lunch at a time!
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**Johnson County Friends Feeding Friends** is dedicated to ensuring no child goes hungry during the summer. If you’d like to volunteer, donate, or learn more about our program, please visit our website or contact Breean Waller directly. Let’s keep the momentum going and make this summer unforgettable for all the right reasons!