VALENTINE, Neb. - For a growing number of Nebraskans, the struggle to put food on the table has become a daily challenge. A recent report from Feeding America reveals that food insecurity in Nebraska has surged by 37%, leaving one in seven residents, including one in five children, facing hunger.

However, a small group of volunteers in Valentine is looking to make a big impact.

Saturday mornings are a chance for many to sleep in, but for the volunteers, it’s anything but a lazy morning.

“I get up about a quarter after five,” Tim Larsen said.

Larsen had already cooked up around 60 dozen eggs by 7:30 a.m.

“I drink a lot of coffee,” Larsen said.

He’s one of a handful of volunteers who prepare breakfast for the Valentine community. While some donate to support the cause, the farm-fresh meal is free.

“We do this because we love Jesus, and we love people,” Scott McClellan said.

McClellan is the pastor at Valentine Berean Bible Church where they cooked up the idea three years ago.

“When we started, we might have served ten people,” McClellan said.

Now, volunteers from different denominations come together to prepare more than 100 meals twice a month.

“I had these two meals, and I stopped a friend of mine on the street. I said, ‘I have two meals. Do you know of someone who might need them?’ He said, ‘There’s a lady across the street in this house. She’s quite old, and she could use some help.’ I knocked on her door and told her who I was and what I had. I’ll never forget this. She started crying. She said, ‘I was wondering what I was going to eat today.’ I thought, ‘In Valentine, Nebraska wondering what you were going to eat that day.’ It just shocked me,” McClellan said.

It’s not just the people who volunteer their time to cook who help out with the project. Area ranchers also donate meat and eggs. Even a teenage girl takes time to decorate each box with a unique Bible verse.

“I try to support a good thing that they’re doing,” Beverly Kockrow said.

Kockrow and her husband Dean never miss these Saturday morning gatherings.

“A lot of these older people can’t get out or go anywhere or do anything, and they like to visit. It’s a good deal,” Kockrow said.

While a few like Kockrow come to the Vet’s Club to eat, most meals are delivered, thanks to G.G. Gonzalez, who has her own inspiring story.

“I had no job, no car, no money. My friend let me stay with her,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez said that with the help of her friend and God’s grace, she found a job and saved enough money to buy a car.

“This car is another miracle. I’m consecrating it to God to do his work,” Gonzalez said.

And that she has. Over the past two years, she’s only missed a couple of these Saturday special deliveries.

“They thank me profusely every Saturday. I shake my head and say, ‘You’re welcome, but it’s my blessing,’” Gonzalez said.

As the sun climbs higher on a not-so-lazy Saturday morning, the volunteers are delivering more than meals; they’re nourishing spirits and strengthening the community.

“Just feeling like you’ve touched someone’s life in a positive way to encourage them for another day,” McClellan said.