Now 16 months after COVID-19 first began to spread in Omaha, the summer days coupled with nationwide state re-openings are bringing back what feels like the “normalcy” of pre-pandemic life. But for residents facing hunger, that “normal” still means living in crisis.
In 2019, about 65,490 people in Douglas County were food insecure, according to data from Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap study. That’s roughly 11.7% of the county residents lacking access to sufficient food due to limited resources.
But when COVID-19 began to spread in March, Nikki West saw fast how barriers to food access became worse for the low-income immigrant and refugee families she serves as a social worker at OneWorld Community Health Center.
And things didn’t get much better over last summer.
“A year ago, it was a crisis,” said West, who is the supervisor of her department. Social workers like West meet one-on-one with anybody despite economic status, ethnicity, language, immigration status to help them navigate community resources based off their “Social Determinants of Health”.
West and her staff of three had to figure out how to meet resident’s growing needs as local food banks and meal programs they would typically share as referrals changed services or shut down. They were “coming up with resources when they didn’t exist,” West said. From grocery shopping for families to organizing distributions for curbside pickup, they had to be innovative.
Though it’s too soon to say exactly how far COVID-19’s impact on food insecurity levels will stretch in the coming years, Feeding America projects that 42 million people nationwide may experience food insecurity in 2021, surpassing the 35 million people in 2019, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
As food insecurity persists, the learning experiences from over a year of adapting to ever-changing information has equipped West and her team with a good foundation of resources. Lower COVID-19 positivity rates at the clinic have also decreased the amount of immediate coronavirus-related crisis assistance their patients need, shifting focus back to other barriers that play a role in accessing nutritious and affordable foods.
The barriers to accessing food and nutrition
The immigrant populations OneWorld serves face many barriers in accessing food and other basic needs. For those who don’t speak English, it is challenging to access public information and assistance. Some food pantries and organizations that offer services require proof of residency or identification, annexing immigrants who may be undocumented from accessing care.
Transportation presents another barrier.
“It’s hard to use your WIC benefits if you’re walking to the store, depending on how much you can or can’t carry,” said Lisa Steinbach, a registered dietician who helps low-income mothers and their families navigate nutritional WIC benefits at the OneWorld Community Health Centers WIC Office. Buses can be pricier or more time consuming than low-income families can afford.
In Omaha grocery stores, convenience foods with low nutritional value tend to be more accessible and affordable than fresh fruit and vegetables. With immigrant populations, Steinbach said tries to provide culturally conscious nutritional recommendations that take into account the staple ingredients of an individual’s ethnic cuisine.
Both Steinbach and West need to approach their roles with deep empathy.
“Asking for public assistance is something that can pose a lot of fear,” she said. Especially for immigrants, she always wants to be transparent when sharing a resource– telling them about the language assistance available and if any documentation would be required for them to access the food resources at certain locations.
“We try to provide as much education as we can, coaching them through how they may be able to navigate that resource on their own after we have helped them through it a couple times.”
Ultimately, she wants to make sure her patients feel safe walking through her door, and through any other door to resources she leads them to. “They’re going to come with their own levels of crises and traumas,” West said. “It doesn’t have to be as much of a traumatic experience accessing services.”
OneWorld’s WIC and Social Work Departments are pieces in the puzzle of connecting residents with organizations, schools, churches and pantries distributing food resources.
“The community is bound together in this pandemic, especially in South Omaha,” West said.
To connect one on one with a social worker, or see if you qualify for SNAP or WIC benefits, you can call OneWorld Community Health Centers at (402) 502-8888 to schedule an appointment. Translation assistance is available.
Are you or your family in need of groceries or a hot meal? Are you looking to put your time or your money towards diminishing food insecurity in Omaha? Here is a growing list of where to find food and where to volunteer or donate.
Information on this list is subject to change. Calling the agency’s listed phone number will provide you the most updated information.
Food Pantries
If you’re low on cash, food pantries and food banks offer residents free groceries and– depending on the site– other resources like diapers, baby formula or clothing.
Food Bank for the Heartland
Food Bank for the Heartland is the largest food bank in Nebraska and Iowa, distributing food to over 600 food pantries, schools and other nonprofit groups. With their online food locations map, you can find a pantry nearby.
Link to the food locations map: www.foodbankheartland.org/get-food/find-food-locations-now/full
Community Cupboard: 13130 Faith Plz.
The Community Cupboard is held on the first Saturday of each month outside Countryside Community Church, 13130 Faith Plaza. From 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., residents can stop by to grab a pre packed box of groceries. The pantry requires participants to present a piece of mail or some other identification that includes their Omaha address. Though not all employees are bilingual, some volunteers speak Spanish and may be available to assist you in Spanish.
Together, Inc.: 812 S 24th St.
Anyone experiencing food insecurity can connect with Together, Inc. The food pantry is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., and no identification is needed to get food. Call 402-345-8047 with any questions, or visit the website at www.togetheromaha.org.
Meal Programs:
These organizations offer free, hot meals to residents. Call ahead for updates on timing.
Open Door Mission: 2705 N. 20th St E.
The Open Door Mission offers hot meals seven days a week at the Garland Thompson Men’s Center, 2705 N 20th St E. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and dinner is served from 6:15 p.m. to 7 p.m. Call 402-422-1111 with any questions, or visit the website at www.opendoormission.org.
Siena Francis House: 117 N. 17th St.
At Siena Francis House, 117 N. 17th St., anyone from the community can get a free hot lunch and dinner. Call 402-341-1821 and press the “star” key (*) to schedule your meal for curbside pickup. For more information, visit the website www.sienafrancis.org