The Nebraska Legislature’s Appropriations Committee is deliberating several bills that would impact Nebraskans still struggling with the impact of COVID-19.
There are many residents still suffering from food insecurity and hunger. Others are having problems finding safe and affordable housing while others are struggling with to find quality and affordable childcare. The Committee is expected to provide recommendations next week on how American Rescue Plan Act funding will be allocated.
The Nonprofit Association of the Midlands and nonprofits, including the Food Bank of the Heartland, Kids Can Community Center, and Spark Omaha hope the Committee will appropriate ARPA dollars these areas:
Food Security and Hunger: Food Bank for the Heartland distributed enough food for 37 million meals in fiscal year 2021, nearly 9 million more than the previous year. Catholic Charities of Omaha is estimated to provide food to over 260,000 people in 2022, a 400% increase in the number of people served in three short years.
Safe and Affordable Housing: Community Action of Nebraska (CAN), has distributed $1.7 million in rental assistance across Nebraska to 3,326 clients and 1,534 households in just the last six months.
Childcare: Childcare is critical to help overcome the workforce challenges we are seeing in Nebraska. For all families, no matter their income, the cost of childcare can easily equal college tuition, rent, or mortgage payments.