Family Nutrition Programs

check organizational links for updates to services provided, days, and times

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) The SNAP program provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford the nutritious food. SNAP cards are used at stores to purchase food.  Nebraskans can apply for benefits at iServe Nebraska, a resource of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, to get help with food, utilities, healthcare, and other essential needs. Nebraskans can apply for a single benefit, or several at the same time. If you qualify for Medicaid, you also qualify for SNAP. Location, phone, days, and times: 301 Centennial Mall South, Main Switchboard (402) 471-3121, Medicaid Assistance (855) 632-7633, M-F 8am - 5pm 

Other Agencies That Can Help with a SNAP Application

• Matt Talbot
• Community Action Partnership
• El Centro de las Americas
• Asian Community and Cultural Center
• Bluestem Health
• Food Bank of Lincoln

The Nutrition Education Program (NEP) in Nebraska helps families on a limited budget make healthier food choices and choose more active lifestyles. NEP is free to all who meet income guidelines. SNAP-Ed teaches people how to make their SNAP dollars stretch, how to shop for and cook healthy meals, and how to stay physically active. SNAP-Ed programs offer nutrition education classes.  More information/how to apply.

Lincoln/Lancaster County Health Department - Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program is a nutrition program funded for low to moderate income families to eat well and stay healthy.  WIC provides an eWIC card to buy WIC approved foods. WIC provides nutrition, health and breastfeeding information and support services through Registered Dietitians/Certified Lactation Consultants, including free breast pumps and meal planning ideas.  WIC also provides community resources and referrals to other programs.  If you qualify for Medicaid, you also qualify for WIC.

Who qualifies:

• Pregnant women
• Breastfeeding women
• Newly delivered mothers
• Infants
• Children up to 5 years
• Foster children up to age 5
• All caregivers including dads, grandparents, foster parents, and guardians
• Nebraska residents who meet federal income guidelines or are enrolled In Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (ADC)

LLCHD WIC locations, phone, days, times:

• 3131 O St., (402) 441-6200, M, Tu, W, F : 8am - 4:30pm and Thur. 8am - 6:30pm
• 2662 Cornhusker Hwy Suite. 7, (402) 441-4204, Tu-F: 8am - 4:30pm and Wed. 8am - 6:30pm

Family Services Lincoln, WIC Program provides food assistance, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and services referrals for low income pregnant women, new moms, infants and children up to age 5 who live in Nebraska. The program serves women who qualify under income guidelines or are currently on Medicaid, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), or ADC/TANF (Aid to Dependent Children/Temporary Assistance for Needy Families).  More information/frequently asked questions.

Locations, phones, days and times: 

• Mill Towne, 501 S. 7th St, (402) 205-7685, M-F 8:00 – 4:30pm and 1 Saturday per month 8am – 12 noon
• First United Methodist Church, 2723 N. 50th St., (402) 205-7685, one Friday a month
• Southern Heights Presbyterian Church, 5750 S. 40th St., (402) 205-7685, one Thursday a month

Community Action Partnership for Lancaster and Saunders Counties (CAP) Feast Program (Food, Education, Access, and Support, Together) is a group wellness program that provides healthy nutrition support for low income families through recipe and cooking demonstrations to make healthy eating tasty and affordable. Free access to fresh, whole foods in every class.  More information, call (402) 875-9329, or email sstratton@communityactionatwork.org.  Fill out an interest form.

The CAP Gathering Place provides free hot, nutritious meals seven days a week from 5 - 6pm to anyone who needs a meal - no questions asked. Guests can eat inside the Gathering Place house or take their meal to-go. Location: 1448 E St.

Center for People provides food distribution in a supermarket type atmosphere.  A Clarity card is required to participate. Participants can collect food once a week at the People’s Pantry during these hours (hours may change, check the their web site for updates):

• M - Th – 9am to 2pm
• Fri. – closed

Location, phone: 3901 N. 27th St., (402) 476-4357

Food Bank of Lincoln The Food Bank of Lincoln distributes free fruits and vegetable in 15 locations across the city with their produce van, Lincoln Fresh, throughout each month.  No documents or ID needed. Distribution schedule and locations.

The Food Bank can also walk people through the application process, to determine if they meet the income guidelines for food assistance for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), and provide information about using the SNAP EBT card to purchase food. SNAP assistance hotline: (855) 444-5556.

Catholic Social Services  (CSS) Catholic Social Services Food Market in Lincoln provides families and individuals the opportunity to select and shop for food items, including fresh fruits and vegetables, once per month.  Appointments for same-day food market requests are taken on a first-come, first-served basis until all requests are filled. Calls are taken M -Th from 8-8:30am. To make a request, call (402) 327-6200.  Shopping hours for the CSS Food Market are M-Th, from 1pm to 3pm.

Catholic Social Service Lincoln Breakfast and Lunch Program provides free meals to those who need them, no questions asked. Volunteers serve beverages and sack lunches to the homeless and working poor who walk in. Breakfast starts at 9am, lunch at 10:30am. Location, phone: 2141 O St., (402) 434-2100

MattTalbot  offers a hot prepared meal two times a day, every day of the year, to anyone who goes there. Lunch is served from 11:30am - 12:30pm and dinner is served from 5:30 - 6:30pm.  All are welcome.  Location, phone: 2121 N. 27th St., (402) 477-4116

Good Neighbor Community Center (GNCC)

• Non-Perishable Food Program GNCC distributes non-perishable food items such as canned goods, frozen meat, dried beans, and pasta through their Shopper's Choice Pantry. Individuals with pre-scheduled appointments are permitted to receive non-perishable food once every 30 days. 
• Perishables Food Program Every Monday and Wednesday perishable items such as fruits, vegetables, bread, and milk are available. No appointment is required, no eligibility restrictions as long as you are in need of food.  Call ahead of time to ensure distribution days have not changed.

Location, phone, days, times:  2617 Y St., (402) 477-4173, M -Th, 9am - 4pm, and Fri. 9am - 12 noon

Lincoln Salvation Army Food Pantry  Individuals and families are able to choose the foods most appropriate for their particular needs.
Location, phone, days, times: 2625 Potter St., (402) 474-6263,  Tu, Wed, Thur, Fri, noon - 3:30 pm.  Produce and bread distribution Tuesdays and Fridays from 10 -11am.  Call ahead of time to ensure distribution days have not changed.

FoodNet, Inc. is a collaboration of Lincoln churches where volunteers distribute mostly perishable foods such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and bread, to families in need at various church locations around the city.  Church locations, days, and times.