the heartland has never been more hungry.
food insecurity rates continue to rise.
Heartland neighbors have weathered constant hardships since 2019. The historic floods displaced thousands. Then, the onset of the pandemic resulted in an 89% increase in the number of meals we distributed. Now, inflation and natural disasters continue to make hunger a daily reality for thousands. Elevated costs—combined with the sunsetting pandemic-era government assistance programs—have created a disruption unlike anything we’ve seen in our 43-year history.
According to newly released numbers from Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap, 1 in 8 Heartland individuals is facing hunger—with 1 in 5 children experiencing food insecurity.
A growing need. an outgrown facility.
The extraordinary levels of food distribution, which dramatically rose in 2020 and continue today, are only possible through limited and short-term solutions. Several operational limitations at the Food Bank’s current facility greatly hinder our ability to deliver our mission efficiently and effectively.
Limited space for cold storage.
To keep up with the increased need for food across our service area, refrigerated trailers have been leased to store food in our parking lot, and we have secured additional off-site storage. The size of our warehouse, especially our cold storage areas, greatly limits our ability to safely source, store and distribute food, particularly Foods to Encourage (protein, produce and dairy).
These products are a vital focus of our mission as they contribute positively to good health.
A dangerous parking situation for volunteers.
Another fundamental limitation is the parking lot. There is a single, difficult-to-navigate thoroughfare that is shared by visitors, food donors, volunteers, and truck drivers. A supporter dropping off a food donation must compete with an 18-wheeler backing up to a loading dock. We have leased spaces from our neighboring property for staff, which has provided short-term relief, but is insufficient for our growing team.
Limited space for protein repacking.
Our USDA-certified Protein Repack Room allows us to accept and process bulk donations of protein. It was built by taking space away from our Volunteer Center, further limiting our volunteers’ ability to support our mission. Although additional product is available, our current facility cannot accommodate a Protein Repack Room expansion. We are one of nine Food Banks in the country to have a Protein Repack Room—making it a vital resource for our partners and neighbors in need.
the scope of hunger across the heartland
Every county in Nebraska and western Iowa is experiencing hunger at an elevated level. Food insecurity rates have increased by 38% for individuals and 56.4% for children. Click below to download our heat map to see how food insecurity levels have increased across the Heartland.
*Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap 2023 and 2024 (based on 2021 and 2022 data).
Learn more about the food bank.
The Food Bank for the Heartland serves 93 counties across Nebraska and western Iowa.
Learn more about our efforts to eliminate hunger and how you can help.
Your support is critical.
Right now, there is a role for everyone to play as the Food Bank continues to face rising challenges with limited resources. Your impact will make a significant difference in how we provide neighbors with hope and nutritious food now, and in the years to come.