EASTERN NEBRASKA COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP

ENCAP'S OMAHA NUTRITION CENTER REDUCES FOOD INSECURITY OF SENIORS THROUGHOUT DOUGLAS, SARPY, AND CASS COUNTIES, AND FORT CALHOUN, THROUGH OPERATION OF THE COMMODITY SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD PROGRAM (CSFP). A USDA PROGRAM, CSFP PROVIDES ESSENTIAL FOOD TO APPROXIMATELY 1,300 INCOME-ELIGIBLE SENIORS AGES 60+ PER MONTH. THE NUTRITION CENTER DISTRIBUTES CSFP FOOD PACKAGES FROM ENCAP'S NORTH OMAHA OFFICE (2406 FOWLER AVE. IN OMAHA) AND DELIVERS TO CONGREGATE HOMES AND SENIORS WHO ARE HOMEBOUND. IN ADDITION, IN FY24 THE CENTER CONTINUED SOURCING, PACKAGING, AND DELIVERING FOOD PANTRIES AND HOUSEHOLD GOODS (E.G. DIAPERS, TOILET PAPER, ETC.) TO FAMILIES REFERRED THROUGH BRIDGE FAMILY RESOURCE CONNECTOR NETWORK. THE CENTER MAINTAINS STRONG PARTNERSHIPS WITH AREA FOOD RESCUE AND DISTRIBUTION ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE A DIVERSITY OF FRESH AND NON-PERISHABLE FOODS TO THESE HOUSEHOLDS.

IN SARPY COUNTY, ENCAP OWNS AND OPERATES THE BELLEVUE PANTRY. THE PANTRY OFFERS FOOD DISTRIBUTION SERVICES DAILY AT 1912 HANCOCK STREET IN BELLEVUE, NE. THE PANTRY ALSO DELIVERS FOOD TO INDIVIDUAL HOUSEHOLDS WHO ARE NOT ABLE TO VISIT THE PANTRY DUE TO MOBILITY OR HEALTH CHALLENGES. THE BELLEVUE PANTRY PROVIDES MEAL-BASED DISTRIBUTION. ITEMS SUPPLIED ARE COORDINATED WITH RECIPE SUGGESTIONS SO THAT FAMILIES CAN MAKE A MEAL OUT OF THE FOOD THEY RECEIVE. THIS IS INTENDED TO MAKE MEAL PLANNING EASIER, GIVE RELIEF TO ALREADY STRETCHED BUDGETS, AND REDUCE FOOD WASTE. THE BELLEVUE PANTRY SERVES MORE THAN 15,000 INDIVIDUALS EACH YEAR. OF THOSE SERVED LAST YEAR, APPROXIMATELY 16% (OR 1 IN 7 HOUSEHOLDS) WERE ACTIVE-DUTY, VETERANS, OR MILITARY FAMILIES. THE BELLEVUE PANTRY IS A VALUE-ADDED SERVICE TO THE OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE COMMUNITY. THE PANTRY OPERATES FIVE DAYS A WEEK, AND OFFERS FOOD DISTRIBUTION SERVICES 30 HOURS PER WEEK, INCLUDING NO COST FOOD DELIVERY SERVICES FOR THOSE WHO MAY BE EXPERIENCING BARRIERS TO TRANSPORTATION TO ANYONE WHO RESIDES IN SARPY COUNTY. THIS KIND OF READILY AVAILABLE, CONSISTENT SUPPORT CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE READINESS AND RESILIENCE OF SERVICE MEMBERS, WHICH POSITIVELY IMPACTS THE INSTALLATION'S MISSION CAPABILITIES. IN NOVEMBER OF 2023, A NEW LOCATION WAS PURCHASED TO BETTER SERVE AND ACCOMMODATE THE NEEDS OF OUR PANTRY AND ITS GUESTS.