Despite various attempts at implementing state and federal eviction moratoria, evictions have never fully stopped in Lincoln. We at Collective Impact Lincoln believe our city leaders have the power and responsibility to enact a limited eviction moratorium to close the gaps left by federal and state protections. Evictions are still happening. There are 29 hearings next week. There are a… Read more →
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is on Monday, and here at Nebraska Is Home, we like to think of this as a day on rather than a day off of work. It’s a day of service, reflection, and education, as we commit ourselves to fostering a welcoming Nebraska, where everyone feels they belong – no matter their background or country… Read more →
Since bill introduction started on Thursday, the Nebraska Legislature has introduced over 300 pieces of legislation. Senators are able to introduce bills through January 20th. So far, we’ve seen legislation put forward to address the lack of essential worker protections, expand access to supportive resources and services for young people, fight food insecurity in our communities, and more. Advocating for… Read more →
A new pandemic relief bill was signed into law with new opportunities for families in need to access food in Nebraska on December 27. There’s a lot to celebrate, but we know more would be welcome by folks hit hard by the pandemic. Here’s what you need to know: Through June 2021, SNAP benefits will be increased by 15% The… Read more →
Today is Day 1 of the 2021 legislative session. Nebraska senators will start the year by introducing new bills on a number of issues, including legislation to address the stark inequities within our systems that have been further exposed during the COVID-19 public health crisis. Nebraska Appleseed Priorities for 2021 Together with you, we will be advocating for meaningful change… Read more →
After months of negotiations, Congress has passed an emergency COVID-19 relief package that will provide urgently needed support to Nebraskans. While the passage of this long-awaited relief will provide direct payments, housing assistance, increased support for many families, and more, this bill still falls short of meeting the level of need in our Nebraska communities. Along with a large spending… Read more →
Currently, EVERY school in the state has the opportunity to implement afterschool suppers and snacks through the CACFP Afterschool Program. This is a guest blog post by Nebraska Appleseed’s Food and Nutrition Access youth ambassador, Libby Israel. Around 20 million children in the U.S. leave school each day not knowing if their next meal will have to wait until they… Read more →
For many, the holiday season is a time filled with joy and shared with loved ones. It is a time when families come together and share gratitude and food. While gathering may look different this year, we should all be able to come home safely to our loved ones. But Nebraskans who process our food in meat and poultry plants… Read more →
The number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise in Nebraska, and so do the number of evictions. In Douglas & Lancaster counties, over 200 eviction hearings have been scheduled, even when most other types of hearings have been shut down. Families with young children, people with disabilities, the elderly, and the immunocompromised are packed into courtrooms to fend off an… Read more →
Recommended Allocation of Remaining CARES Funds Recently, Governor Ricketts announced another round of CARES funded grant programs to help address the ongoing disruptions caused by the Coronavirus pandemic. This round of funding includes $48.5 million in support for non-profits and direct service providers, as well as another $25 million for businesses and ag producers who have not yet received assistance.… Read more →
Thanks to your hard work and support, Governor Ricketts announced last week that Nebraska will be bringing back SNAP Emergency Allotments! These benefits will become available to folks on SNAP who aren’t receiving the maximum allotment starting December 8th. I am so thrilled to share this news, but, as we all know, we are far from solving hunger in our… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** Thursday, November 5, 2020 Contact: Magdalena Cazarez Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed C: (402) 504-0074 mcazarez@neappleseed.org After over 1000 Nebraskans sign petition, Governor Ricketts plans to extend SNAP Emergency Allotments Lincoln, NE — Today, Governor Ricketts announced Nebraska will be extending Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Emergency Allotments to eligible SNAP participants in November. Nebraska Appleseed’s Economic Justice… Read more →
Over the course of the last several months, including yesterday, Nebraska has seen tremendous enthusiasm and engagement in the 2020 election. As of this morning, more than 73 percent of registered voters cast their vote. That means nearly 1 million voters engaged in the electoral process, with high voter turnout rates from Douglas to Scottsbluff Counties and every community in… Read more →
Throughout October, Nebraska Appleseed is celebrating the outstanding contributions of individuals and organizations standing up for justice and opportunity for all as part of the 2020 Good Apple Awards. During #celebrateprobono week, we’re proud to spotlight the Tenant Assistance Project, a collaborative effort between the City of Lincoln, the Nebraska State Bar Association, and community organizations to assist those made… Read more →
Megan Hamann is our new Economic Justice Community Organizer focused on food and nutrition access! Megan’s pronouns are she/her/hers. In her role she is working on food security in Nebraska, working directly with people who have limited access to nutritious food to advocate for meaningful change across Nebraska. Megan is completing her Global Studies Major at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** Wednesday, October 21, 2020 For questions about SNAP, contact: Eric Savaiano Economic Justice Program Manager, Food and Nutrition Access O: (402) 438-8853 x 126 esavaiano@neappleseed.org Media contact: Magdalena Cazarez Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed C: (402) 504-0074 mcazarez@neappleseed.org More than 1,200 Nebraskans Urge Governor Ricketts to Extend SNAP Emergency Allotments Representing 106 communities, Nebraskans express grave concerns, causing… Read more →
FUNDING ALERT: No Kid Hungry and Nebraska Appleseed are offering grants of up to $50,000 to Nebraska school nutrition programs making adaptations because of COVID-19 now through December 2020. View the RFP and apply today! Across Nebraska, children are benefiting from school nutrition professionals’ hard work to expand food access for students. During this National School Lunch week (October 12-16),… Read more →
Each year, Appleseed is fortunate to work with bright, talented, and dedicated interns and law clerks who are passionate about fighting for justice and opportunity for all Nebraskans. Although we have had to adjust the way we work during the COVID-19 pandemic, we were able to have interns and clerks join our team from across the nation! Meet some of… Read more →
For years, payday lenders have issued predatory, fee-packed loans to our neighbors across Nebraska. Payday loans are designed to trap borrowers in a cycle of debt that is extremely difficult to break. Just last year, the Nebraska Department of Banking reported the average contracted annual percentage rate on payday loans was 405%. Marketed as a short-term fix, the loan terms… Read more →
When Governor Ricketts announced he was extending Pandemic-EBT, a program that replaces school meals for kids whose schools have closed because of COVID-19, he used it as justification for not extending SNAP Emergency Allotments, a federal program that put around $7.6M in SNAP benefits in the hands of 40,000 Nebraska households per month. We were the ONLY state not to… Read more →
Last week, Congress took an important step to ensure families have the food they need as hardships from the COVID-19 pandemic continue. Food insecurity has dramatically risen in Nebraska since March with an estimated additional 17% of Nebraskans without the nutritious food they need to live a healthy and active lifestyle. The U.S. House & Senate have passed legislation that,… Read more →
Mika Takamori recently joined Appleseed as the new Weitz Fellow. In the midst of the pandemic, she graduated from Carleton College with a Studio Art degree and a History minor. She has lived in a few cities including Tokyo, San Francisco, and Minneapolis and is excited to now be exploring Lincoln! She is passionate about figuring out how to… Read more →
My name is Megan and I am the new Economic Justice Community Organizer at Nebraska Appleseed. I am honored to join this dedicated group of individuals who advocate for food access in our state. I am writing today to invite you to watch our upcoming SNAP Emergency Allotment Press Conference happening tomorrow morning. In this conference, you will have the… Read more →
We are all feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including our immigrant neighbors We need relief during a pandemic. While previous federal COVID-relief efforts have brought support and protection to some, millions of immigrant families have been excluded and continue to struggle during the pandemic across the country. Mixed-status families were excluded from federal COVID-19 relief, even if one… Read more →
On Friday, September 4, 2020 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published an order placing a nationwide moratorium on most evictions for nonpayment of rent through the end of the year. The order went into effect the same day, and provides much-needed protections for Nebraskan families. As many as 107,000 Nebraska renters at risk of eviction Previous measures… Read more →
