Food insecurity is a major issue in Omaha, Nebraska, and many organizations are working hard to address it. Every Bite Counts (EBC) is a student-led service organization that focuses on food recovery and on raising awareness about food waste and food insecurity. Through collaboration with donors, grants and community partners, EBC has established the Choice Food Pantry, a free service for anyone experiencing food insecurity. This pantry is replenished daily with fresh produce, meats, dairy products and shelf items. Together's Nourish program has partnered with Nebraska Diaper Bank to provide diapers to families suffering from food insecurity and are also participating in the Soil to Sustenance home delivery program.
EBC also works to reduce food waste on the UNO campus and raise awareness about food insecurity in the surrounding community. Food Bank for the Heartland has been playing a critical role in uniting communities in Nebraska and western Iowa in the fight against food insecurity for 40 years. This organization collects perishable foods from restaurants, delicatessen stores and food vendors that are good but cannot be sold for a variety of reasons, and ensures that they are not discarded by simply delivering them the same day to those in need. EBC organizes a network of volunteers to collaborate in the collection and redistribution of food to the non-profit organization Youth Emergency Services (YES). Thanks to students from the Abbott School of Social Work at the University of Nebraska in Omaha, who met with community participants and obtained recipes, stories and provided reflections. The Service Learning Academy at the University of Nebraska also allowed students at the University of Nebraska at Omaha to leave campus and not only serve, but to become agents of positive change in the community. The fifth edition of the 24th Street cookbook by Together and the University of Nebraska at Omaha seeks to show 24th Street in its true state and preserve the essence of community food and culture.
The Food Bank distributes food to 544 network partners in Nebraska and western Iowa, including pantries, schools, churches, emergency shelters and other non-profit organizations. Organizations like Every Bite Counts are making a real difference in Omaha by providing access to healthy food for those who need it most. Through collaboration with donors, grants and community partners, these organizations are helping to eliminate hunger in the heart of the country by ensuring constant access to healthy food.
