20 Nebraska state senators are pressing Gov. Pete Ricketts to extend emergency food assistance for families in need.
Demand for food amid the pandemic continues to grow The line for fresh produce begins early at the Open Door Mission.
“There are so many families that have lost their jobs, or had more than one job and are only able to do one job now,” Laurie Anderson tells 6 News. She was picking up a food box for herself and a few others.
“Within the pandemic times, this food helps for two weeks or one week,” says Nang Ra, who was also picking up food boxes filled with fresh produce.
The Together food pantry in Omaha saw their busiest week ever last week. “There probably is some level of correlation between the extra benefits ending and the spike we’re seeing,” Mike Hornacek, president and CEO of Together, tells 6 News.
In March, the federal government loosened restrictions on SNAP benefits, making way for states to dole out the maximum amount to more people. That came to an end in July.
“You can see between early August and now, it’s slowly escalated week by week," Hornacek says.
6 News asked Ricketts last week why he hasn’t extended emergency SNAP benefits. “I think it’s part of the step, especially here in Nebraska with our low unemployment rate relative to the country, in getting people back to a normal life.”
But Hornacek tells 6 News there’s still a need now. “We had a thousand households and that translates to roughly 4,200 people come through our pantry last week and that doesn’t happen if people aren’t in need and aren’t going hungry.”
(Photo from 6 News)