Celebrate and recognize the history of Juneteenth The impact of recognizing Juneteenth as the federal holiday with the passing of the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act cannot be understated. Yet many people don’t know the meaning and significance of Juneteenth. While it took two and a half years for word of the Emancipation Proclamation to reach Texas, it has taken… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** Thursday, June 17, 2021 Contact: Magdalena Cazarez Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed O: (402) 438-8853 ext 119 mcazarez@neappleseed.org LINCOLN, NE – Today, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in favor of Catholic Social Services’ ability to discriminate against same sex coupled foster parents in Fulton v. City of Philadelphia. Nebraska Appleseed’s Child Welfare Program Director, Sarah… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** Thursday, June 17, 2021 Contact: Magdalena Cazarez Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed O: (402) 438-8853 ext 119 C: (402) 504-0074 mcazarez@neappleseed.org The Affordable Care Act Withstands Legal Challenge Lincoln, NE — Today, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled to preserve the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Nebraska Appleseed’s Senior Director of Programs, James Goddard, issued the following… Read more →
Each semester, 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. We’re excited to have interns and clerks join our team from across the nation virtually! Meet the outstanding Nebraskans who dedicate their time to positive change in our communities. We’re also excited… Read more →
Familias con niños de 1 al 18 anos pueden encontrar comida gratis por una línea de texto Escuelas están cerrados por el momento pero distribuciones de comida gratis continúan en Nebraska El Programa de Servicio de Alimentos de Verano continuará distribuyendo comidas GRATUITAS para niños de 1 a 18 años durante los meses en que no haya clases este año.… Read more →
Kids and families can find free summer meals through text service once again Schools are closed but meal service continues across Nebraska The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) will continue to provide FREE meals for children ages 1 to 18 during the months when school is out this year. Nebraska school districts, nonprofit organizations, libraries, tribal organizations, and others will… Read more →
Celebrating Immigrants! June Is Immigrant Heritage Month This is a guest blog post by Zeke Rouse, Appleseed’s Immigrants and Communities Welcoming Intern. June is an opportunity to share stories and recognize the impact that different immigrant Nebraskans have in shaping our communities. Storytelling gives us an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of experiences, perspectives, and people that call Nebraska home. … Read more →
Congress is home on recess this week, and it’s a great time to tell our Nebraska delegation this is the year for full inclusion of family and longtime community members! Congress has not meaningfully updated our immigration laws in more than 35 years, causing unnecessary harm to local families and communities. Over the summer, we have important opportunities to pass… Read more →
2021 Legislative outcomes for Nebraska families, communities, and racial justices The Legislature wrapped up this year’s discussion and decisions on proposed bills in late May. Despite the obstacles brought by the pandemic, community members like you worked hard to make your voice heard to ensure we are building a vibrant, diverse, and inclusive Nebraska. Read below to find out what… Read more →
With strong community support, the Nebraska Legislature voted to override the veto on the SNAP cliff effect bill (LB108) yesterday afternoon. Introduced and prioritized by Senator John McCollister, this bill will now allow thousands of Nebraskans to be able to take a pay raise without fear of losing all of their food benefits! View how your state senator voted on… Read more →
The IRS will start to make monthly payments of the expanded Child Tax Credit from the American Rescue Plan on July 15, 2021. In Nebraska, roughly 434,000 children will benefit from this change, and approximately 36,000 children will be lifted above or closer to the poverty line. This unrestricted funding will have profound impacts on Nebraska families. The Child Tax… Read more →
Despite strong support from the Nebraska Legislature, Governor Ricketts vetoed the SNAP Cliff Effect Bill (LB108). LB108 fixes the SNAP cliff effect by helping families avoid the tough choice between taking a pay raise or feeding their families. This bill passed with 33 yes votes from Nebraska senators whose substantial support underlines the critical importance of improving food access in… Read more →
We are in the last week of the 2021 legislative session. This Wednesday is reserved for veto override votes and the last official day of session will be on Thursday. It’s been a unique session that introduced many challenges due to the pandemic, but I’m proud of the work that our staff, partners, and supporters have done to fight for… Read more →
Tonight, Governor Ricketts vetoed LB108, a bill that makes changes to Nebraska’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to make it easier for participating Nebraskans to take raises or find better paying jobs and not lose all food benefits. Nebraska Appleseed’s Economic Justice Program Manager for Food and Nutrition Access, Eric Savaiano, issued the following statement in response: “At a time… Read more →
We are extremely disheartened and sorry to share that this week in the Legislature, the Meatpacking Employees COVID-19 Protection Act LB241, introduced and prioritized by Senator Tony Vargas, was stopped from advancing. For practical purposes, this important bill is dead for this session. Please make one more call or email to your senator on this issue. Thank the senators who… Read more →
Last week, Speaker Hilgers announced the legislature will adjourn on Thursday, May 27th. The vast majority of the legislature’s work should be complete by the end of this week and May 27th will be reserved for votes to override any gubernatorial vetoes of legislation. Final vote on SNAP bill tomorrow Tomorrow, the Legislature will take its final vote on LB108,… Read more →
This is the third blog in our series on race inequities in the child welfare system. Say her name: Ma’Khia Bryant. Ma’Khia Bryant was 16 years old and in foster care in Ohio when she was shot and killed by 23-year-old white police officer, Nicholas Reardon, who was responding to reports of violence in the foster home. The shooting took… Read more →
Features from this month’s Nebraska Appleseed newsletter: Give to Lincoln Day: Join supporters in unlocking a $10,000 bonus! Exciting Appleseed priority bills advance at Nebraska Legislature Nebraskans tell Congress ‘It’s Time for Full Inclusion’ (Photos) We’re Hiring: Join our team as Staff Attorney or Program Coordinator COVID-19 Resources (Including information on vaccines) Donate now for Give to Lincoln Day and… Read more →
Please note: We are currently in the 3rd session of the Creating Communities of Belonging series. Join us by registering at the link below! Join community leaders from across Nebraska who are building inclusive and vibrant communities This virtual series will provide collaborative sessions, presentations, and networking with Nebraskans who are committed to creating communities where everyone, including immigrant neighbors,… Read more →
The Nebraska Legislature is scheduled to debate LB298, introduced and prioritized by Senator Mike McDonnell, as soon as tonight. This bill would ensure work-authorized immigrant Nebraskans can access the unemployment benefits they have earned. Make a short call or email to your senator today and urge them to vote for this important bill. Nebraska is the only state in the… Read more →
There are only 14 days left for this session, so we are nearing the end of floor debate for legislative priority bills. The Speaker announced last week that the session would end early, but the precise date is still unknown and depends on how swiftly the body moves through the remaining agenda. Meatpacking worker protections advance to select file Last… Read more →
This is a guest blog post by Libby Israel, Nebraska Appleseed’s outgoing Youth Ambassador for Food and Nutrition Access who has spent 2 semesters in the role. Before my time at Nebraska Appleseed, anti-hunger work was something I had always thought about, but never really knew how to get involved with. I had seen the effects of food insecurity in… Read more →
The Nebraska Legislature is scheduled to debate LB258 as soon as tonight, which would ensure Nebraskans have access to basic, earned paid sick leave – promoting healthier and stronger families, especially working parents with young children. Make a short call or email to your senator today, urging them to support this important bill. Access to basic paid sick leave consistently… Read more →
This month, we have a BIG goal—and we need your help! From now through May 25th, you have a special opportunity to make the fight for justice and opportunity for all Nebraskans stronger than ever. Generous friends of Appleseed will donate a $10,000 bonus if 350 people contribute for Give to Lincoln Day! Make your Give to Lincoln Day gift now… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** Thursday, May 6, 2021 Nebraska Appleseed Contact: Omaid Zabih Strategy Senior Director, Nebraska Appleseed O: (402) 438-8853 ext 128 ozabih@neappleseed.org Nebraska’s School Nutrition Professionals are School Lunch Heroes May 7th is National School Lunch Heroes Day and Nebraska school nutrition professionals have heroically risen to meet the challenges of the pandemic LINCOLN — Tomorrow, the Nebraska Student… Read more →
