While the nation is watching the Senate take up proposals designed to dismantle health care for children, the elderly and disabled, and low-income families, the House Budget Committee finalized its vision for the country last week. Though details have yet to be released, the plan paints a gloomy future for…...
Five things you probably didn’t know about Food Stamps
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, has been targeted with unprecedented cuts in the 2018 federal budget proposed by President Trump. The cuts would shift 25% of SNAP benefit costs to the states, amounting to an estimated $419 million in Nebraska over 10 years. As…...
New report: Nebraska ranks second-to-last in keeping schools hunger-free
Last week, the Food Research and Action Center released a status update on the adoption of the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) across the country. Last year was the third school year that CEP was available to schools and districts with high concentrations of students from low-income families, and the report…...
Back to School: Is Your School a Hunger-Free Zone?
August means that it’s back to school season in Nebraska! As students and teachers gear up for a full year of learning in the classroom, we at Voices are turning our attention to an important factor in academic success: proper nutrition. Research tells us that hunger negatively impacts academic performance,…...
Save school meals for Nebraska kids!
Last month, the Improving Child Nutrition and Education Act of 2016 (H.R. 5003) advanced from the U.S. House education and Workforce Committee with markups that would significantly change national child nutrition programs for the worse. As this year’s child nutrition reauthorization was being considered by the Committee, we proudly joined…...
Legislature to consider making more schools hunger-free
We all want kids to succeed in the classroom. This week, the Legislature has the opportunity to fuel students’ learning by making more Nebraska schools hunger-free zones through LB 1066, which would include provisions of LB 1004 and LB 1065 through a committee amendment. The underlying bill is the annual technical…...
2014 Spotlight Gala Awards – Individual
Sometimes when looking for solutions, you have to think outside. For Scott Smathers, this meant thinking outside to the great Nebraska outdoors. Through the Hunters Helping the Hungry Program, Scott found a unique way to combat hunger. For those efforts, Scott Smathers is the recipient of the 2014 Spotlight…...
Anti-Hunger Advocacy Day
Tomorrow, Voices for Children, along with Hunger Free Heartland, the Food Bank of the Heartland, the Food Bank of Lincoln, and others who care about ending hunger in Nebraska are hosting an Anti-Hunger Advocacy Day. This event will allow people to learn about hunger in Nebraska, important programs that help…...
Five Things to Think About Before Voting on SNAP
This week, the House of Representatives is expected to consider a bill that would make significant cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP or food stamps. Here’s 5 things we hope that our Representatives will remember as they consider the future of SNAP: 1.) About 1…...