November 4, 2025 3:20 a.m.

The United Community Action Network Food Bank is partnering with Columbia Bank for a month-long food drive.

It will take place throughout November at all Columbia Bank locations in Douglas County. Each branch will be collecting food donations on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. All donations will go to community members with food insecurities.

Donations of non-perishable, nutritious foods are especially needed. That would include canned meat, peanut butter, cereal, canned vegetables, chili and hearty soups.

Columbia Bank is also the first organization to sponsor a UCAN Food Bank “Barrel of Hope”. Food Bank Director Val Gordon said the barrel is uniquely designed by a local artist and will be used in 2026. Gordon said UCAN believes that art has the power to create positive change and hopes to enrich the community through uplifting and visually stimulating food collections barrels located at organizations throughout the county.

The UCAN Food Bank supports 15 emergency pantries, 3 community kitchens and various supplemental agency partners. Currently, around 12,000 residents visit an emergency pantry in the county each month. 25 percent of those are children.

For more information about the UCAN Food Bank, go to: https://www.ucancap.org/food/