Feeding America

About Us

Since our founding in 1982, we’ve been focused on our mission to alleviate hunger in Southeast Nebraska.

From sun up to sun down (and even longer), our dedicated teamvolunteers and partner agencies work together to put food on the tables of neighbors in need, right here at home. The Food Bank of Lincoln is a proud member of Feeding America.

We serve 16 counties in Southeast Nebraska: Polk, York, Fillmore, Thayer, Butler, Seward, Saline, Jefferson, Saunders, Lancaster, Gage, Otoe, Johnson, Pawnee, Nemaha and Richardson.

Within these 9,200 square miles, an estimated 64,510 people are food insecure, including 20,320 children under the age of 18. This means 1 in 7 neighbors—and 1 in 5 children—may not have reliable and consistent access to enough food to live active, healthy lives.

Mission

To alleviate hunger in Southeast Nebraska.

Vision

Nourishing our communities to end hunger.

Values

Compassion

We aspire to be empathetic, to empower one another, show authentic kindness and prioritize dignity.

Collaboration

We aspire to be collaborative with each other, neighbors we serve, partners and the community at large. We will seek win-win-win solutions.

Responsibility

We aspire to be completely accountable to our community, neighbors, donors, volunteers, staff and Board to do our best to alleviate hunger in Southeast Nebraska.

Education

We aspire to educate our community, stakeholders and ourselves about issues that create hunger and about programs that alleviate hunger. We will seek new solutions.

Diversity

We aspire to embrace all races, genders, including gender identity and expressions, religions, sexual orientations, economic levels, ages, physical abilities, job statuses and marital statuses in everything we do.

How We Alleviate Hunger

In fiscal year 2023, we connected neighbors in Southeast Nebraska to more than 10.2 million meals. A variety of programs, partnerships and services, along with support from friends like you helps make that possible.

Our History

During the first 20 years of the Food Bank’s operation, donations were inventoried one item or case at a time. Agency partners selected products and “checked out” by weighing items box by box. More efficient inventory and data systems were introduced in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

 

1980s

1982

The Food Bank of Lincoln, Inc. opened its doors at 3642 Adams St., a small garage-sized building.

1983

The Food Bank’s first full operating year resulted in 405,988 pounds of food or approximately 317,170 meals.

1986

The Food Bank moved to a new location, 57th and Russell Drive, which was approximately 7,000 sq. ft.

1990s

1997

The organization moved to its third location, 4840 Doris Bair Circle, with nearly triple the space.

2000s

2001

The Food Bank hired Scott Young as Executive Director.

2004-2005

BackPack Program launched at Clinton Elementary School, serving 50 children.

2008

The Food Bank Board made a conscious effort to “step on the gas” during the recession, rather than adopting a conservative stance.

2010s

2010

The Food Bank hired its first SNAP (Food Stamp) Outreach worker.

2011

The first School Food Market was held, serving 117 students at Lincoln High School.

2012

The Food Bank began leasing 17,000 sq. ft. to house its growing Child Hunger Programs and the Vocational Opportunities in Community Experience Program, now Independence Academy.

2014

With a focus on shortening food lines, the Food Bank added Bridges Out of Poverty to its educational programs.

2019

Lincoln Fresh launched and distributed 108,647 pounds of fresh produce to 12,985 people in low-income areas in its inaugural year.

2020s

2020

Connected neighbors to more than 11.5 million meals, which included our single-largest month of meals in response to COVID-19.

2021

After serving as the Food Bank of Lincoln’s Executive Director for nearly 20 years, Scott Young retired.  The Board of Directors selected Michaella Kumke to lead the Food Bank as President and CEO.

Connected neighbors to 13.3 million meals, a record for the Food Bank of Lincoln.

2022

After a capital campaign to raise over $10 million for the construction of a modern and more efficient facility, the Food Bank of Lincoln moves to its fourth location, 1221 Kingbird Rd. The new facility will enable the Food Bank to connect more people to more meals, increase access to healthy food and shorten food lines.

2023

Launched Hometown Fresh, a walk-through mobile food pantry committed to serving neighbors with limited access to food resources.

For our partners, if you need documentation of our tax-exempt status, check out our Form 990. Or, if you’re interested in using our name and logo, find what you need in our logo and style guide.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Read the full nondiscrimination statement here

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