Winter Night Watch volunteers are ‘backbone’ of program

OMAHA, Neb.—Every year, The Salvation Army of Omaha and its volunteers deploy five nights a week during the winter to provide hot meals and warm winter clothing to those experiencing homelessness.

They do so via a program called Winter Night Watch.  This long-running, community-focused program started its new season on Dec. 2 -- and the season will continue through Feb. 27.

Disaster Services Coordinator Todd Connely said two Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) canteens filled with food and provisions go out every weeknight.  Between the two canteens, four service stops are made in Omaha – two on a north route and two more on a south route.  At each stop, food is handed out and warm winter clothing is given away to people in need.  

Demand is growing this season for the meals served by the program.

"The first Monday in December, when we started the Winter Night Watch program, we started with 140 meals each night,” Connely said.  "Right after Christmas, we upped our numbers to 190 meals per night."

Connely said this is the first year that Chef Kevin Newland is helping prepare the food that Winter Night Watch volunteers hand out.  Hot dogs, cheeseburgers, soups, and sandwiches are all examples of the food that’s typically served on each route.

As far as helping people keep warm, Connely said they have distributed a combined 1,000 coats, gloves, and hats so far this season.

“It has warmed up here through Christmas, but it is going to get cold again, and we know that,” he said.  “So yes, there has been a need for the blankets, the coats, the hats."

Connely said the volunteers are the Winter Night Watch program’s “backbone.” 

One of them is Judy Ackland, who participates two nights a week as part of the Omaha West Rotary club.

"We help a lot of nonprofits, but we really love this program,” Ackland said.

"Since I've moved to Omaha, I've felt very welcome here in the community,” fellow volunteer Mark Wong said.  “And since I've been here, I think the least I can do is to give back to my community."

Those the volunteers serve let them know how thankful they are.

"A lot of people say, 'God bless you' to us," Ackland said.

One of them is Dwan Wyldes, who has received food and winter clothing along the program’s South Omaha route.

"They feed us, they clothe us,” she said.  “It's been awesome.  Amazing."

Tom Miller said he has been a Winter Night Watch volunteer for more than 20 years.  While working a nightly route in early January, he recalled one evening when a young man acknowledged the help the program gave his family a long time ago.

"I said, 'Are you interested in having something to eat?'” Miller said.  “He said, 'No, no.  I just want to shake your hand and tell you thank you for what you do.'  And he told me a quick story that his mother, his little brother and he lived across the street here on 24^th [Street], up in the top part apartment.  And he said, 'Our only warm meal was when we ate here from you guys.'”

"He goes, 'My mom's doing well now.  She has a great job.  My brother and I are doing fine.  I just wanted to thank you and Salvation Army.’"