Food Bank for the Heartland

Check it out! We have recently updated our website’s homepage making it easier than ever to access essential food resources. With user-friendly navigation and improved organization, finding the support you need is just a click away. Whether you're looking for food assistance, volunteer opportunities, or ways to donate, our homepage is designed to streamline your experience and connect you with the resources you need. Visit our website to discover how you can make a difference in the fight against hunger! #FoodBankHeartland

We have a fun #ThrowbackThursday today! Last month, PayPal held an Impact Day at all locations across the world! Within two days, local PayPal employees packed roughly 2,300 food kits for us to distribute to our Network Partners. Each kit contained: o 1x rice with broth o 1x box of granola bars o 3x soup o 2x bags of nuts We are beyond grateful for PayPal’s incredible commitment to the fight against hunger. They are providing hope, and that hope is desperately needed right now. #FoodBankHeartland

Do you want to make an impact in our communities, and network with a group of people committed to eliminating hunger? The “Foodies” is an organization of volunteers dedicated to the support of the Food Bank through volunteerism, fundraising, and the promotion of community awareness. A membership offers volunteer opportunities, community connection, and involvement in special Food Bank events. Founded by Jayne Timmerman in 2013, the Foodies have been instrumental in helping the Food Bank increase awareness of its mission. Jayne believes it’s because the group’s intent has never wavered. “I had two requirements for this group. It had to be fun, and it had to be engaging for members. I wanted them to actively participate.” Interested in joining the Foodies? Click the link below to sign up! https://lnkd.in/gCMpQNXM

We are celebrating today’s #FeelGoodFriday by thanking the commitment of the organizations that participated in this year's Strike Out Hunger — 403,722 meals were raised for Heartland families in need! Congratulations to the Strike Out Hunger division winners: Strikers Total Meals and Most Meals per Employee: Masimore, Magnuson & Assoc., P.C.! Grand Slam Total Meals and Most Meals per Employee: @McGrathNorth! Triple Plays Total Meals and Most Meals per Employee: WoodmenLife! Wild Cards Most Total Meals: Fiserv Wild Cards Most Meals per Employee: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska! We also recognize the leaders in each meal category: Most overall food raised: Omaha Steaks with 11,835 pounds! Most overall funds raised: WoodmenLife with $18,707 dollars! Most volunteer hours raised: WoodmenLife with 126 shifts totaling 315 hours! Most social media presence: H&H Group with 28 posts!   THANK YOU again for your generous efforts of time, talent, and treasure! Your involvement played a vital role in helping Heartland families this summer. #StrikeOutHunger #FoodBankHeartland

We want to give a big welcome to the newest members of the Food Bank’s Board of Directors — Janel Allen and Paul Cech! These individuals were thoughtfully selected for their expertise, community leadership, and passion for creating food-secure communities. Read below to learn more about Janel and Paul! Janel Allen assumed the role of Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer at Children's Nebraska in December 2019 with a focus on leading the organization's human resources strategy for a workforce exceeding 4,000 employees. In addition to her responsibilities in human resources, Janel provides leadership in Marketing, Communications, and Public Relations at Children's Nebraska. With her unwavering dedication to fostering inclusive environments and driving organizational excellence, Janel continues to be a driving force behind Children's Nebraska's continued success and positive impact within the communities we serve. Paul, originally from Schuyler, NE, began his career at the CPA firm of Seim, Johnson, Sestak, and Quist, gaining experience in audit, tax, and consulting services. His work with Woodhouse Auto Family as a client led to his transition to the CFO role in 2001. Currently, Paul serves as the COO — Chief Operating Officer — of Woodhouse Auto Family, overseeing all business activities and contributing to the global management of the organization. We’re thrilled to work with Janel and Paul to find creative solutions in the fight against hunger for neighbors experiencing food insecurity. #FoodBankHeartland

Today, the Food Bank was honored to receive a special visit from Senator Deb Fischer! We are grateful for the Senator taking the time to visit our facility, participate in a round table discussion surrounding our hunger-relief programs, and show support for our mission. Her visit not only uplifted our staff and volunteers but also brought attention to the important work we do in the community. Thank you, Senator Fischer, for your visit and continued advocacy for addressing food insecurity. #FoodBankHeartland

Ever wonder what’s in season at the Food Bank? We are proud to say EVERYTHING is in season! And here’s how — thanks to our partnership with Fresh Connect Central, our Network Partners enjoy fresh, seasonal produce all year round! Fresh Connect Central — hosted by Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana — is an agri-food distributor primarily serving the national Feeding America network. In fiscal year 2024, the Food Bank distributed over 7.3 million pounds of fresh produce, with more than 2.6 million pounds provided by Fresh Connect. “Fresh Connect Central is our go-to for fresh produce. Their responsiveness, creativity, and alignment with our core values of respect, urgency, and integrity set them apart. While their products and services are outstanding, it's their exceptional people that make them truly great. We love Fresh Connect Central!” - Jason Moucka, Director of Food Procurement & Processing Our partnership with Fresh Connect is helping Heartland neighbors thrive by providing consistent access to healthy foods throughout the year! #FoodBankHeartland

Last week, the Food Bank’s President and CEO, Brian Barks, participated in a roundtable discussion focused on child nutrition. A big thanks to the USDA and Secretary Vilsak, for including the Food Bank into this important conversation. To learn more about the Summer Food Service Program, please click the link below. https://lnkd.in/egGWKjpJ #FoodBankHeartland

We are incredibly grateful to the Walmart Foundation for their support in empowering the Food Bank and our Network Partners to expand their capacity for receiving food donations from retailers. Their dedication to enhancing equal access to nutritious food throughout our service area is truly uplifting and inspiring. THANK YOU for making a positive impact on our community! #FoodBankHeartland

No time has been wasted since the Food Bank’s groundbreaking ceremony, on the demolition and construction of our new facility. Only four weeks in, our project partner, Darland, has already made great headway in clearing the site and preparing it for the construction phase. The support and enthusiasm from the community have been instrumental in driving the project forward, and we are grateful for the opportunity to make a positive, and lasting impact in the lives of our neighbors in need. Check out our capital campaign and new facility website to stay informed about our latest developments! https://lnkd.in/gM2rWcB9