A local nonprofit is taking its fight for food security straight to the source. New Visions Homeless Services now has a food truck to help reach more of the community. The organization said they’re going back to their roots of helping those facing food insecurity.”Our roots are in food security starting 30 years ago with just the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches,” Brandy Wallar, CEO of New Visions, said. “Going out to the community, asking individuals if they’re hungry, meeting individuals right where they’re at.”Named Donna, after Donna Campbell, the woman who first handed out those sandwiches, New Visions Homeless Services has a full menu planned for the new truck. “Somebody asked me, ‘What are you going to do with the food truck?’” Wallar said. “And I said, ‘What am I not going to do with the food truck?’”One of the main focuses is connecting with people experiencing street-level homelessness. “We do have a trailer that has a portable shower,” Wallar said. “So the shower will go out with them, we’ll pack the food truck with hygiene supplies, with blankets, with warm weather gear, give them a hot meal.”The new truck also adds to New Visions’ partnership with Iowa Western Community College. “They’re offering culinary classes down on our Council Bluffs camps,” Wallar said. “So these individuals that are experiencing homelessness will not only be able to get job training in the kitchen, but we’ll be able to take them out into the community so they get real-life customer service skills.”Wallar said none of this would be possible without their community partners, including the Rotary Club of Council Bluffs, which contributed a $6,000 grant to get the food truck ready to roll. “Food insecurity is a challenge that all of our communities are dealing with,” Chris Laferla, president of the Council Bluffs Rotary Club, said. “And this time of year is just really difficult. For families that need support. Our food banks are strapped.”Knowing that transportation can be a barrier for those struggling, Laferla said the new truck is a crucial addition. “Having a mobile food pantry and in a truck that can deliver prepared hot meals is a real asset to the community,” Laferla said. Wallar said they also plan to utilize the truck if there’s a disaster in the community. “We’re able to have a commercial kitchen, make food and really respond to disasters so that we can make sure that we are here for anyone in the community, not just individuals experiencing homelessness,” Wallar said. Donna, the food truck, will be out serving the community starting next week. Get the latest headlines from KETV NewsWatch 7