Third City Food Bucks are sold at almost every checkout counter in most of the major food centers in Grand Island, NE. A Project Hunger member, who is also a member of Third City Christian Church, started the program in May of 1999, having seen successes in other cities of a neighboring state.

The Food Bucks program is intended to help keep the shelves filled at the Grand Island Community Food Pantry and also provide supplemental resources to fill vouchers containing fresh milk, eggs and ground hamburger to qualified clients recommended by Health and Human Services in Grand Island. Since June of 1999 the program has raised around $100,000.00 in major food centers in Grand Island. Although this a relatively small amount compared to the age of the program, it is constantly under development to nurture and grow the unique concept.

Checkout counters in participating stores display $1.00 Third City Food Bucks coupons available for purchase. These coupons are printed, compliments of Copy Cat Printing in Grand Island. The process is for customers to ask the cashier to add on as many coupons as they wish to their total receipt. On occasion the cashier may also remind the customer of the Food Bucks opportunities. Each store maintains a Project Hunger Food Bucks account on their books in order that Project Hunger agents may trade purchased food or grocery items for the food pantry or HHS uses. No money changes hands in this process. Project Hunger Food Bucks accounts in participating stores operate similar to "Gift Cards." Accounting is accurate and verified for both parties while no money changes hands.

Food Centers in Grand Island supporting the Third City Food Bucks program are HyVee Store to open soon, Sam's Club, Skagway Stores, Super Saver, and both Wal-Mart Supercenters.

Advertizing for the Food Bucks program may be accomplished through periodic store promotions, sponsor ads in the newspaper, radio, TV, outdoor billboards or other media sources, key chains, refrigerator magnets, and personal word-of-mouth encouragement by Project Hunger supporters who already support the program.

Anyone wishing more information concerning this fabulous program may contact Doug Winder 308-391-2341 <winder@charter.net>