OMAHA, Nebraska - Conagra’s 13th annual Shine the Light on Hunger surpassed its goal of raising 1.75 million meals. The final number for the holiday fundraiser that benefits the Food Bank for the Heartland was 2,441,319 meals. That is enough to stock pantry shelves for over one month.
“Thousands of our neighbors across Nebraska and western Iowa struggle regularly with food insecurity,” said Brian Barks, president and CEO of Food Bank for the Heartland. “For 13 years, the Shine the Light on Hunger campaign has generated critical meals while also raising awareness of the children, families and seniors in need.”
The Capitol District Ice Rink in Omaha was another engaging way to get the public involved throughout the 7-week campaign. More than 13,500 skaters took to the ice through January 21 and a portion of their admission fees went to the Food Bank.
The Food Bank for the Heartland distributes food to 600 pantries, schools, emergency shelters and other nonprofit organizations. They are the largest food bank in Nebraska and Iowa and serve 93 counties in the two-state region.