Washington for Justice planning holiday meal kits

The activist group Washington for Justice is once again planning to distribute free meal kits on Dec. 11, but the process will be a little different from last year.

“Last year we had this idea because we were in the throes of the pandemic and lots of our community members had lost their jobs or their hours had been cut, and so budgets were tight,” Associate Director Bethany Glinsmann said. “This year, even though I think some folks feel like we’re returning to normal, we recognize that food security really is an issue all the time, not just in a pandemic.”

Glinsmann said the group recognized that many people still felt the residual effects of the pandemic on their livelihoods.

“A lot of that job growth has been for the higher-wage jobs, and lower-wage jobs have been at a lower rate,” she said. “There really still is a need to help families who are still suffering.”

Unlike last year, when meal kits were available to those registering in advance, Glinsmann said this year’s kits would be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

“We won’t be asking for any proof of need or anything like that, so anybody who shows up we’d be happy to give them a kit,” she said. “Ideally these are for families who could use a little bit of extra help around the holidays … focused in the Washington community, both living in the city but surrounding communities in the county as well.”

Glinsmann said volunteers would start handing out the kits at 11 a.m. Dec. 11, in front of the Mills Seed building near the square. She welcomed volunteers and donors as the group tries seeks to exceed its numbers from last year, with each kit costing $45 to assemble.

“Last year, we gave out 63 kits in December, so we would love to meet that goal again this year,” Glinsmann said. “It’s going to depend on the donations coming in from the community.”

Glinsmann said the organization was assembling two versions of the kits, which include the ingredients for families to make their own holiday meals.

“One is more of a traditional American option, it will have ham and turkey and potatoes, green beans, something to make a pie, all that kind of stuff,” she said. “The other option is a Latino option, that will have some pork shoulder and some chicken along with lots of traditional fixings more from Mexican cuisine.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com