OMAHA – The growing demand for food assistance in the 93 counties it serves has prompted the Heartland Food Bank to take regular action, adding the rental of refrigerated trailers to purchase food in the parking lot.
Volunteers and tractor-trailer drivers who stop at the Omaha-based nonprofit block the way to its current headquarters.
Meanwhile, emerging food prices and the end of many government pandemic relief systems have created “disruptions” that officials said they hadn’t noticed in the food bank’s 42-year history.
To meet developing needs, the food bank on Sunday publicly announced a $37 million plan to build a new workplace and warehouse complex on a larger 12-acre campus at the northeast corner of 84th and L streets in Omaha.
Representatives came together through Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert to publicly reveal renderings and other details of the 105,000-square-foot facility, which is about 40 percent larger than the existing home.
The number of parking spaces will almost double, for a total of about 170 at the new base, which has housed a car dealership for more than half a century.
“Our task will be the 84th and the L,” said CEO and President Brian Barks. “It’s about the way we do business and the way we can serve the community, focusing on healthy food. “
While making plans that began in 2020, the nonprofit’s board of trustees opted to delay the structure’s pronouncement and move forward to secure 60% of the $27 million it hopes to raise in philanthropic giving, Barks said. Approximately $10 million will come from the interior and sale of the existing structure located at 10525 J St.
The nonprofit continues to seek contributions for the fundraising campaign.
Demolition and painting of the structure is expected to begin this summer, according to the assignment schedule, with the move planned for 2026.
The food bank says the milestone comes as Nebraskans continue to call for food assistance.
Paul Maass, CEO of Scoular, his involvement with the food bank has shown him that the lack of healthy food is widespread.
“For many, hunger is a hidden challenge,” he told dozens of supporters gathered Sunday in a giant tent on the grounds of the long-term food bank. “But it’s falling all around us, every moment of every day. I’ve learned that this isn’t an urban, rural, or suburban challenge. Hunger is a challenge everywhere.
Covering 78,000 square miles in 77 counties in Nebraska and 16 counties in western Iowa, the food bank works with 555 network partners to distribute food to those in need.
Last year, they distributed more than 26. 7 million pounds of food.
According to the organization’s projections, 600,548 families will be served this fiscal year, up from 572,000 families last year and 313,000 five years ago.
In terms of demand from an individual perspective, the food bank expects to serve 1. 62 million people this fiscal year, up from 1. 52 million last year and 843,000 in 2019.
Barks was gracious to the lawsuit, saying Nebraskans have faced greater hardship since the government shutdown in December 2018.
Historic floods in March 2019, which displaced thousands of people, some of whom continue to rebuild.
COVID-19 has caused an 89% increase in the amount of food distributed through the food bank. People who lost their jobs during the pandemic have dipped into their savings and accumulated debt.
“Inflation and the lingering effects of the pandemic continue to make hunger a daily truth in our communities,” the food bank said in its fundraising campaign release. “With food costs skyrocketing, too many of our neighbors are forced to make potential choices about the things essential to life and prosperity, such as paying for food, medicine, utilities or childcare. ”
The company highlighted its reaction to the pandemic. In the meantime, the food bank has developed a small USDA-certified “clean room” that accepts and processes bulk donations of nutrient-rich protein.
Representatives said the program was a success, but its structure took up space in the volunteer center.
The new facility will feature a larger empty room for processing proteins.
Among the features:
Records show the extensive corner assets were sold to the food bank for $7. 1 million.
h
Barks said the food bank has visited several sites and thought about other options, adding renewal. He said cleaning up the site of 84th and L streets and rebuilding them is more economical.
He said that if other people knew how increased production is controlled in existing facilities, they would be even more impressed. He described the point of demand as “unexpected. “
“It’s been a journey,” Barks said. Getting to this point is everything from relief to joy to excitement all rolled into one. “
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by Cindy Gonzalez, Nebraska Examiner June 2, 2024
OMAHA – The growing demand for food assistance in the 93 counties it serves has prompted the Heartland Food Bank to take regular action, adding the rental of refrigerated trailers to purchase food in the parking lot.
Volunteers and tractor-trailer drivers who stop at the Omaha-based nonprofit block the way to its current headquarters.
Meanwhile, emerging food prices and the end of many government pandemic relief systems have created “disruptions” that officials said they hadn’t noticed in the food bank’s 42-year history.
To meet developing needs, the food bank on Sunday publicly announced a $37 million plan to build a new workplace and warehouse complex on a larger 12-acre campus at the northeast corner of 84th and L streets in Omaha.
The representatives were joined by Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert to publicly reveal renderings and other details of the 105,000-square-foot facility, which is about 40 percent larger than the existing home.
The number of parking spaces will almost double, for a total of about 170 at the new base, which has housed a car dealership for more than half a century.
“Our task will be the 84th and the L,” said CEO and President Brian Barks. “It’s about the way we do business and the way we can serve the community, focusing on healthy food. “
While making plans that began in 2020, the nonprofit’s board of trustees opted to delay the structure’s pronouncement and move forward to secure 60% of the $27 million it hopes to raise in philanthropic giving, Barks said. Approximately $10 million will come from the interior and sale of the existing structure located at 10525 J St.
The nonprofit continues to seek contributions for the fundraising campaign.
Demolition and painting of the structure is expected to begin this summer, according to the assignment schedule, with the move planned for 2026.
The food bank says the milestone comes as Nebraskans continue to call for food assistance.
Paul Maass, CEO of Scoular, his involvement with the food bank has shown him that the lack of healthy food is widespread.
“For many, hunger is a hidden challenge,” he told dozens of supporters gathered Sunday in a giant tent on the grounds of the long-term food bank. “But it’s falling all around us, every moment of every day. I’ve learned that this isn’t an urban, rural, or suburban challenge. Hunger is a challenge everywhere.
Covering 78,000 square miles in 77 counties in Nebraska and 16 counties in western Iowa, the food bank works with 555 network partners to distribute food to those in need.
Last year, they distributed more than 26. 7 million pounds of food.
According to the organization’s projections, 600,548 families will be served this fiscal year, up from 572,000 families last year and 313,000 five years ago.
In terms of demand from an individual perspective, the food bank expects to serve 1. 62 million people this fiscal year, up from 1. 52 million last year and 843,000 in 2019.
Barks was gracious to the lawsuit, saying Nebraskans have faced greater hardship since the government shutdown in December 2018.
– Brian Barks, CEO and President of the Heartland Food Bank
Historic floods in March 2019, which displaced thousands of people, some of whom continue to rebuild.
COVID-19 has led to an 89% increase in the number of food distributed through the food bank. People who lost their jobs during the pandemic dipped into their savings and piled up debt.
“Inflation and the lingering effects of the pandemic continue to make hunger a daily truth in our communities,” the food bank said in its fundraising campaign release. “With food costs skyrocketing, too many of our neighbors are forced to make potential choices about the things essential to life and prosperity, such as paying for food, medicine, utilities or childcare. ”
The company highlighted its reaction to the pandemic. In the meantime, the food bank has developed a small USDA-certified “clean room” that accepts and processes bulk donations of nutrient-rich protein.
Representatives said the program was a success, but its structure took up space in the volunteer center.
The new facility will feature a larger empty room for processing proteins.
Among the features:
Records show the extensive corner assets were sold to the food bank for $7. 1 million.
h
Barks said the food bank has visited several sites and thought about other options, adding renewal. He said cleaning up the site of 84th and L streets and rebuilding them is more economical.
He said that if other people knew how increased production is controlled in existing facilities, they would be even more impressed. He described the point of demand as “unexpected. “
“It’s been a journey,” Barks said. Getting to this point is everything from relief to joy to excitement all rolled into one. “
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Nebraska Examiner is owned by States Newsroom, a grant-funded nonprofit news network and donor coalition as a 501c(3) public charity. Nebraska Examiner maintains its editorial independence. Please contact Editor Cate Folsom if you have any questions: info@nebraskaexaminer. com. Follow the Nebraska Examiner on Facebook and Twitter.
Senior reporter Cindy Gonzalez, an Omaha native, has more than 35 years of experience, much of it at the Omaha World-Herald. Its policy spaces include advertising and real estate development; regional reports; immigration, demographics and network diversity; and City Hall and local politics.
Nebraska Examiner is owned by States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.
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