FREMONT – On Monday afternoon, the Fremont Area Food Security Taskforce (FAFST) handed out 500 Thanksgiving meals to families in need in Fremont.
Held at Christensen Field, the event began at 4 pm and before the hour was up, all of the meals had been handed out.
“We had cars starting to line up for a meal at 3 pm. We began handing them out at 4 pm and it was steady until they were all gone! We were very thankful to our local Hy-Vee as well because they gave us coupons to hand out to those who were not able to get one of the meals,” said Christy Fiala with the Fremont Area Community Foundation (FACF).
Hy-Vee joined the FAFST in hosting this Grab N Go meal event and paid for 100 of the meals that were handed out.
“Hy-Vee quickly jumped on board to do this event with us. They are a great community partner and are so wonderful to work with. They love to help out in the community and we are so appreciative of their help,” said FACF Executive Director Melissa Diers.
Families who came to the event were able to seamlessly drive up in their vehicles and receive a Thanksgiving meal consisting of turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy, and a roll made by Hy-Vee.
The FAFST began these Grab N Go meal events last spring and has been continuously looking for ways to help out in the community.
“With the holidays coming up, we wanted to make sure that we could help out those who are in need in the community as well as spread some joy during this incredibly difficult year. These meals are just a small piece of the overall work we are doing to provide to those in need,” said Diers.
Diers said the FAFST is continuing to work together to help provide food security in the community as well as give resources and information to those in need. 
“Lifehouse and our local food pantry have boxes of food available. We’re really focused on trying to get the word out about the existing resources that are available to families and not just during the holiday season, but year-round. Whether it’s a grab and go, or showing people our food pantry, we want to make sure people are aware of these opportunities for food sustainability,” said Diers.
Fiala said they have been seeing many different people in the community come to them for assistance that have never had to ask for assistance before.
“People from all walks of life have been coming for assistance. These people are nervous and sometimes embarrassed to reach out for help. Especially when they’ve never needed it before. Nobody could’ve guessed that a pandemic was coming and how it would affect the economy. The help is here and we want to help them access it,” said Fiala.
If you are in need of any type of assistance, including food and utility, contact the Fremont Area Community Foundation for more information.
Fremont Area Community Foundation
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