OMAHA PERFORMING ARTS

O-pa's IDEA committee stands in solidarity with the Food Bank for the Heartland to Shine the Light on Hunger. We are taking an informative yet encouraging approach, as we want to bring awareness to this devastating topic while also sharing encouraging ways that you can help!  

Here are 10 ways you can become an advocate against hunger:

1. Follow this link to send a note of encouragement to Food Bank workers across the country
2. Learn how to give food 
3. Send your member of Congress a virtual paper plate on why hunger matters
4. Make a case for change with this template to local editorial contacts
5. Host a Virtual Food Drive 
6. Donate funds to Food Bank for the Heartland
7. Urge members of Congress to visit a food bank in their district with this easy form 
8. Bookmark Feeding America’s Hunger Blog for insights and creative ways to help
9. Volunteer with Food Bank for the Heartland 
10. Fill out this form to send a message to congress to Increase SNAP benefits

Facts on food insecurity as it relates to BIPOC communities: 

• The unemployment rate among Latinos increased higher than any other racial/ethnic group in April 2020 because majority of their occupations cannot be performed at home. 

• 18 of the 28 counties considered to have high food insecurity are home to Native American populations who continue to face challenges due to a history of geographic displacement and federal policies.  

• Before the COVID-19 pandemic, systemic racism led to Black individuals being 2.4 times as likely to reside in food-insecure households as White individuals. 

Shine the Light on Hunger is happening now until December 30th. We ask you to drop off any nonperishable items in the blue barrels stationed at the entrance of the Holland Performing Arts Center.