​​​​Mugs of hot chocolate, grandma’s famous roasted ham, and your second (okay, maybe third) holiday cookie of the evening: Hearty meals with lots of sugary snacks in between is a staple part of holiday celebrations across the country. However, not being able to put food on the table is a harsh reality for families in need during the holiday season.

With this in mind, the Boys Town Nebraska Foster Family Services staff decided to go a step further during the holiday season and give back to the community on a more personal level through by partnering with In-Home Family Services to help a Boys Town family. On December 22, Foster Family Services generously donated a meal to a family in need just in time for the holidays.

This tradition began three years ago when Foster Family Services heard about a family in need and jumped at the chance to help the family and spread some joy. After donating the funds and purchasing the food, the staff picked up the holiday meal for the family. This experience ended the program for the year on a perfect note, so they decided to maintain the tradition and it continues to this day.

Matthew Priest, Director of Boys Town Nebraska Foster Family Services, says that this is just one small way his generous staff goes above and beyond when it comes to caring for the community. “While our staff is committed to helping others as part of their career at Boys Town, giving back on a personal level is just as important to us.”

Foster Family Services is a community-based program where professionally-trained foster parents provide care and support to children of all ages. While their incredible staff work with families in need throughout the year, this tradition is a great way to support families in the community who would appreciate this gesture from the staff. This tradition is just one small way Foster Family Services works to support other programs in the Boys Town's Integrated Continuum of Care®.

Thank you, Foster Family Services, for being an inspiration through your caring and generosity this holiday season. It’s employees like the Foster Family Services staff that maintain Father Flanagan’s vision and what make Boys Town® the unique nonprofit that it is today.