Three Square Ends Partnership with Small Henderson Church, Leaving Neighbors in Need Without Food Supply
The recent decision by Three Square food bank to end its partnership with a small Henderson church has left many in the community puzzled and concerned. For the past 14 years, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church has been a beacon of hope for neighbors in need, distributing food and providing support to those facing food insecurity. However, the abrupt termination of this partnership has left Pastor Ed Bruning and his congregation at a loss.
In a recent interview, Pastor Bruning expressed his disappointment with Three Square’s decision, citing unrealistic expectations and a lack of guidance from the food bank. Despite his reluctance to speak out publicly, he felt compelled to shed light on the situation, as the church’s ability to feed those in need has been severely impacted.
Three Square, a prominent food bank in the region, distributed over 37 million meals in 2023 through its community partners. However, Pastor Bruning believes that the organization’s approach to working with its partners is flawed, as evidenced by state audits highlighting inadequacies in their operations.
The pastor recounted a conversation with Three Square’s CEO and President, Beth Martino, where he expressed concerns about the lack of support and communication from the food bank. Despite promises to look into the matter further, Pastor Bruning never received a follow-up from Martino, leaving him feeling disillusioned with the organization.
The Nevada Department of Agriculture conducted a review of Our Savior’s operations last year, citing food safety concerns and inadequate training. Pastor Bruning explained that the church was unable to provide the necessary information to the department at the time due to extenuating circumstances.
Despite efforts to comply with Three Square’s requirements, Pastor Bruning believes that the food bank’s lack of best practices and support for its partners has led to the termination of their partnership. He emphasized the importance of training and guidelines for distribution sites to ensure the safety and dignity of those being served.
In response to the situation, Three Square has stated that they are working to address the issues raised in the audits and provide training to their partner agencies. However, Pastor Bruning remains skeptical of the organization’s commitment to supporting smaller distribution sites like Our Savior’s.
The church, located in downtown Henderson, has been a lifeline for many in the community, particularly seniors and low-income families. Despite facing challenges such as traffic violations and limited resources, Pastor Bruning and his volunteers have continued to serve those in need with compassion and dedication.
As the church grapples with the loss of its partnership with Three Square, Pastor Bruning remains hopeful that they will find alternative ways to continue their mission of feeding the hungry and providing support to those in need. The situation serves as a reminder of the importance of community partnerships and the challenges faced by organizations working to address food insecurity in our neighborhoods.