The Growing Demand for Food Assistance in Omaha: A Critical Look at Hunger and Food Insecurity
As Thanksgiving approaches, the Together Omaha food pantry is bustling. People line up, some checking in early to avoid an extensive wait for groceries. The scene is typical of Omaha’s food assistance landscape, where an increasing number of families, children, and seniors rely on community resources not just during the holiday seasons, but year-round.
The Scene at Together Omaha
On a Tuesday morning just before Thanksgiving, the Together Omaha food pantry is filled with families seeking assistance. One family of four, arriving early, is able to streamline their wait time, successfully collecting essential groceries before boarding a bus to their residence. Also present is Azitiz, a man living in a makeshift home inside a construction site storage container, who recently received food he plans to sustain him for weeks.
Despite its proximity to the holidays, the pantry’s crowd is not due to seasonal giveaways or holiday events. As Mike Hornacek, CEO of Together, points out, the demand for food assistance has grown increasingly common. “Hunger has no off-season,” states Stephanie Sullivan, a spokesperson for the Food Bank for the Heartland, which provides essential resources to Together and many other partners. The ongoing increase in food insecurity reflects economic challenges faced by many families throughout Nebraska.
Rising Food Insecurity Across Nebraska
The Food Bank for the Heartland covers 93 counties across Nebraska and western Iowa, and its data illustrates a stark rise in food insecurity rates. Reports indicate a 38% annual increase in individual food insecurity and a staggering 56% increase for children. In fact, one in eight individuals and one in five children in the service area are grappling with food scarcity, defined by the USDA as limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate food.
Socioeconomic dynamics contribute significantly to these numbers. According to a recent “Map the Meal Gap” report by Feeding America, many families are struggling to keep up with escalating housing costs and inflation, while wages remain stagnant. Families are faced with critical decisions—choosing between paying for food and covering other necessities like medicine.
Persistent Demand Beyond the Pandemic
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic saw a dramatic spike in food assistance needs. The Together pantries had 42,000 visits in 2019, which soared to 160,000 in 2020. Although the number dipped slightly in subsequent years, it has since stabilized at around 130,000 visits annually. This new baseline signifies a continued struggle among local families to meet their basic needs.
Among those relying on food pantries is Heribeta Mayo, a mother of seven. Despite her husband’s full-time job, they face difficulties when it comes to expenses. Mayo dropped out of the workforce to care for their daughter with Down syndrome, leaving her family reliant on food pantries for supplemental nutrition. She shares her story to highlight the urgency many families face while expressing gratitude for the assistance provided.
The Role of Local Food Pantries
Local pantries, including the Together and Good Neighbors pantries, are witnessing unprecedented demand. Good Neighbors’ director, Allene Johnson, reports that there are 30 new families per month. Many feel shame in seeking help, often coming from rural areas or newly arrived refugees from places like Ukraine.
Johnson’s concerns are particularly poignant during the holiday season when their Christmas box giveaway is anticipated to serve greater needs than previous years.
Challenges Faced by Food Banks
Despite an increase in volunteer and donor support during the holidays, food banks face tireless pressures. Sullivan notes that federal aid, which proved beneficial during the pandemic, has dwindled, leaving many vulnerable families without critical support. Additionally, rising demand is met with declining resources.
Hornacek illustrates the struggle further by highlighting the financial thresholds families must meet to live without supplemental aid, emphasizing that many earn below sustainable wages. The landscape has changed tremendously, with families increasingly caught in a cycle of food insecurity and poverty.
Moving Forward: Solutions and Initiatives
Efforts to address food insecurity include developing larger facilities to handle greater numbers, as seen with the Food Bank’s new headquarters in Omaha. This location will accommodate more volunteers, increase storage capacity for perishables, and streamline operations to serve the community better.
Advocacy is also essential, with Sullivan pointing out recent successes in securing funds for food programs that empower families. Raising awareness and encouraging generous giving during the holiday season, and throughout the year, remains vital to fighting hunger in Nebraska.
Conclusion: A Community Challenge
The stories at Together Omaha’s pantry illustrate a pressing issue that extends beyond the holiday season: food insecurity is a pervasive challenge faced by thousands of families in the region. As individuals and organizations work together to bridge the gap, it becomes apparent that hunger, fundamentally, knows no season. The collective responsibility to ensure that everyone has access to essential resources is more important than ever, especially as economic conditions continue to threaten the well-being of many.
In the words of Azitiz, who, despite his challenges, exclaims, “I have all this good food. I’m about to be fed.” He communicates not only a sense of relief but also a longing for sustenance and stability that echoes across the Omaha community, where hope and resilience continue to thrive amidst adversity.
