Mission:
To provide emergency and supplemental food to the people in need in Nebraska and western Iowa
Vision:
To eliminate hunger in our community
Values:
In everything we do, we serve with respect, integrity and urgency
Founded in 1981 and headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, Food Bank for the Heartland is a nonprofit organization that serves more than 325 food pantries, emergency shelters, after-school programs, senior housing sites and rehabilitation centers in our area. We are the largest food bank in Nebraska and Iowa, encompassing 93 counties in the two-state region.
Fighting hunger is an ongoing, collaborative effort. We work with individuals, organizations, food manufacturers, food distributors, grocery stores and the USDA to procure food and household products. Food Bank for the Heartland also collects resources from Feeding America, a national network of 200 food banks.
During the 2012 fiscal year, we distributed nearly 9 million pounds of food to local nonprofit agencies that in turn delivered it directly to those in need in their neighborhoods and communities. The number of people seeking assistance has increased dramatically as families struggle to make ends meet amid rising food costs and other difficult economic circumstances. Often they are forced to choose between paying for utilities, rent or medicine and buying food.
Food Bank for the Heartland operates its own programs that serve vulnerable populations directly. They include Kids Cafe, Food for Seniors, BackPack Program, Mobile Pantry and Fresh Produce. As the number of hungry children, families and seniors increases, these programs expand to meet the growing need.
Food and other items distributed through Food Bank for the Heartland have touched over 250,000 lives this past fiscal year. Individuals, organizations and companies can help us continue our mission of eradicating hunger in our community by donating time, money and food.