Food insecurity has been a major national problem. We have done a remarkable job of providing access to food in Alliance, and we have every right to be proud of that fact.
How can the hungry get help? Five days a week, hot meals are provided in Alliance to anyone who shows up, no questions or judgment. Monday through Thursday volunteers cook at Community Table; 11:30-12:30, at the Masonic Center, 123 West 3rd Street. On Thursdays a sack lunch is handed out for Friday. And on Saturday, people are invited to dine at the Haven on the Bricks, 508 Box Butte.
Our schools all offer free or reduced-price lunches, based on household income. Families need to fill out an application to determine eligibility. Some schools also provide breakfast. The Backpack Program provides a bag of food for these children in our public schools for the weekend. Head Start children also receive backpacks for the weekend.
Food pantries, both mobile and on-site, are offered by different agencies for people who are income-eligible. Applications are available on their websites or at their offices in Alliance or Chadron.
Northwest Community Action Partnership (NCAP) has the Extra Helpings Food Pantry at 1028 E. Third St., Bldg C (3rd and Flack). The pantry is open on Mondays and Wednesdays, and there are income requirements. Call 308-762-4960 for information.
Western Community Health Resources (WCHR) at 619 Box Butte in Alliance offers a mobile food pantry for income-eligible people who are 60 or older. Nebraska Women, Infants & Children Nutrition (WIC) provides nutrition information and healthy food at no cost to help keep pregnant women, infants, and children under five healthy. Again, there are income guidelines. Call 308-762-3696 for information.
The Break Free Agape Fellowship Food Pantry is at 214 W. 10th in Alliance. Call 308-641-6694 to make an appointment.
Native Futures at 217 Box Butte in Alliance offers the Community Response Program for families with children under age 18 who need general assistance. 308-458-7795.
The Alliance Senior Center has low-cost meals available at noon Monday-Friday. Financial Assistance is available through the Office of Aging. Call 308-762-8774 for information.
Throughout the United States people rely on SNAP benefits, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. This is the program that used to be called food stamps. Eligible households are issued an EBT card to use when purchasing food. Applications are available through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, http://dhhs.ne.gov/pages/accessnebraska.aspx.
Grocery Kart participates in a program called Double Up Food Bucks. When people use their SNAP/EBT Card, Double Up matches their fresh fruit and vegetable purchases dollar for dollar, up to $20 a day. The shopper receives Double Up Food Bucks as a register coupon to redeem next time they purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. That means that families who are eligible for SNAP can get twice the fresh produce. No additional sign-up is required.
Last year the Nebraska Legislature passed Summer EBT benefits. SNAP-eligible families receive $120 per child for the summer period when school lunches are not available.
During the next few months the Nebraska Legislature is considering some bills which relate to SNAP benefits:
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LB192 would maintain current income guidelines for SNAP eligibility. We’ve all seen how inflation has hit grocery prices! If our state rolls back income guidelines, 4,500 households in Nebraska will be affected.
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LB319: Currently people with drug felony convictions have a lifetime ban prohibiting them from receiving SNAP benefits. LB319 would help their families and their reentry into society by ending this ban.
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LB656: SNAP currently has work requirements for most recipients. This bill would implement additional requirements.
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LB46 would allow elderly, disabled, and homeless people to purchase meals from participating, approved restaurants using SNAP benefits.
The Legislature will also consider LB14, the Hunger Free Schools Act. If passed, this legislation would make breakfast and lunch in all schools, public and private, free to all students. LB375, the Grocer Reinvestment Option Act, would provide assistance to independently owned grocery stores.
It is a travesty that in our great nation, so many people have to deal with hunger. Here in Nebraska, and especially in Alliance, we are working hard to make sure everyone has enough to eat.