Advocacy

Nebraska LB 1201 / LB 1014 — ARPA

LB 1201 (now amended into LB 1014) is a bill which addresses the unprecedented demand for food created by the pandemic, and the appropriation of ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funding to address this demand in Nebraska. We need your help raising awareness to ensure elected leaders understand the need across our communities.

APRIL 7 UPDATE
The Nebraska Legislature has passed LB 1014, which officially allocates over $1 billion in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The allocation includes $20 million to help address food insecurity, primarily through the purchase and distribution of food for those in need. Food Bank for the Heartland and Food Bank of Lincoln are tremendously grateful for the community support and advocacy efforts in support of this important bill. Your voice will help the more than 229,000 people in Nebraska facing hunger. Thank you!

MARCH 28 UPDATE
LB 1014 has passed the second round of debate. It still needs to pass the final reading. We will post more information here once that has been scheduled. Your advocacy is working and we are grateful for your support! Please continue to use the resources in the bullets below to help ensure that food insecurity measures are included in the ARPA bill, LB 1014. Thank you!

MARCH 24 UPDATE
During the first round of debate on March 23, the Nebraska Legislature passed an amendment to LB 1014 from Senator DeBoer, which helps address food insecurity through ARPA funding. Thank you for your advocacy! Your support is still needed to get the ARPA package—complete with food insecurity measures—through additional rounds of debate and signed by the governor. Please continue to make your voice heard using the resources in the bullets below.

MARCH 22 UPDATE
The amendments to LB 1014 regarding food insecurity in Nebraska will be debated on the floor Wednesday morning, March 23. Please contact your senator to advocate for including food insecurity in the ARPA bill, LB 1014. Take action using the resources in the bullets below.

MARCH 17 UPDATE
LB 1201 will be amended into LB 1014 by the Appropriations Committee.

Below are a variety of ways to make your voice heard and become an advocate for those struggling with food insecurity:

• Call or email your Nebraska senator’s office. To locate information on your state senator, click here. Input your home address to find the appropriate link to your senator’s webpage. Contact information is located in the top right-hand box of the senator’s page.
• Share information on your social media pages using the hashtag #NoHungryNebraskan. Visit our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn pages to share graphics directly to your network.

Whether advocating by email, phone, or website—click here for tips on creating an impactful statement in support of LB 1201 / LB 1014.

Thank you for your dedication to fighting hunger. It will take all our voices together to ensure state representatives understand the full extent of food insecurity and hunger in Nebraska.

Nebraska LB 121 — SNAP

APRIL 11 UPDATE
LB 121 was debated but did not reach a vote before the end-of-day deadline for second-round approval, ending the bill’s progress for this session. We are thankful for Senator Megan Hunt’s introduction and support of the bill, and we are grateful to everyone in our communities for their advocacy and support. We look forward to a re-introduction during the next session. Future updates will be posted here, so please check back.

MARCH 24 UPDATE
On March 23, the SNAP re-entry bill, LB 121 passed a general file in the Nebraska Legislature. To make your voice heard before the next round of debate, take action using the resources in the bullets below.

OVERVIEW
By supporting LB 121, Nebraskans can eliminate the lifetime ban on food assistance for those with certain drug convictions in their past and remove a barrier to successful reintegration for an estimated 1,051 individuals and their families.

Access to food is key to successful reentry and long-term stability. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly called Food Stamps) is the most effective support helping people with low incomes put food on the table. Food pantries play an essential role in providing for emergency needs but SNAP provides a more stable and accessible source of food.

To date, 49 states have opted out of or modified the ban. 24 states have opted out of the ban entirely, including our neighbors Iowa, South Dakota, and Wyoming—and others including Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas. 25 states have modified the ban. Nebraska needs to take action.

Below are ways to make your voice heard and become an advocate for those struggling with food insecurity:

• Tell your senator to support LB 121 and reduce hunger in Nebraska! Click here for an email template that provides an easy way to send your comments to your Senator.
• Call your Nebraska senator’s office. Click here to locate information on your state senator. Input your home address to find the appropriate link to your senator’s webpage. Contact information is located in the top right-hand box of the senator’s page.
• Share information on your social media pages. Visit our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn pages to share our posts and graphics directly to your network.

Thank you for advocating for those who are reintegrating into society and their families.

Thank you for your support!

Many issues impacting hunger relief can be remedied through state level actions — whether legislative or administrative measures. Contact your state legislator and encourage your representative to support Food Bank for the Heartland’s efforts to ensure those who need food can access it. Find your Nebraska state senator or Iowa state senator or representative today.

Federal Level

Local level

Local elected officials are oftentimes closest to the issues we face on a daily basis. Food insecurity is no different. Make your voice heard by connecting with your local officials at the county or city and town level.

Educate

You can play a vital role in educating the people around you and encouraging them to rethink some of their preconceived notions about food insecurity and the vital programs that are helping to feed people in your community.

How can you do this? Inform your friends, family, neighbors and co-workers about the issues involved in food insecurity in your community, tell them about the importance of programs like SNAP, child nutrition and other programs, and show them the positive impact Food Bank for the Heartland’s efforts are having on your community. Utilize our advocacy resources to learn more and help spread the word.