Community Resources

Buffalo County community resources to assist families, individuals, and businesses .

See the Resources in Español: Click Here 

Physical Wellness

Vaccines 

Two Rivers Public Health Department provides information on vaccines in Buffalo County: https://www.trphd.org

 

State Resources

Nebraska Health and Human Services: Find health directives and info for Nebraskans: dhhs.ne.gov

Statewide COVID-19 Resources: Ne Children and Families Foundation

Mental Wellness

We know that recent events has created an unease about the future. Click the following link to find local resources: Click here

Volunteer

 
 
Salvation Army Kearney NE
The Salvation Army needs volunteers to help with food box distribution and work in the thrift store.
Contact: 308-234-9998 for any questions.
 
 
New Life Church Door Delivery 
Mon-Thurs 8:30 – 12:30pm
People can call the church office or complete the form at
Call: 308-234-1881 for more information on this volunteer opportunity.

Financial Supports

  • Unemployment Insurance: NEworks.nebraska.gov You can access the site through your computer or mobile device, or download the NEworks App. For Unemployment Insurance questions you can email NDOL.NICHelp@nebraska.gov and include your contact information. 
  • Free Legal Help For Nebraskans: Nebraskans who have questions or are experiencing legal problems due to the coronavirus/COVID-19 public health emergency now have an easy way to get legal advice and help. Callers will be connected to the Hotline voicemail. Callers should leave their name, phone number, brief details of the problem and the assistance needed, and in what county they are located. Callers will receive a call back from experienced Legal Aid staff.

     

Food. Transportation. Housing

Food

Local Pantry and other Food Updates

Food Pantries in Kearney

Food Resource

East Lawn Ministries

Contact: Pete Ludowese, Manager (308) 293-0100

Hours: 4pm – 6pm, Tuesdays & Thursdays

Address: East Lawn Trailer Court-2900 Grand Avenue #342 Kearney NE, 68847

Services: Offers help with food and clothing

 

Food Resource

Faith United Methodist Church Pantry

Contact: (308) 237-2550

Hours: Call to set up an appointment to receive food assistance

Address: 1623 Central Avenue Kearney NE 68847

Services:  Offers emergency food bags

 

Food Resource

Helping Hands Ministry

Contact: Mary Lyons, Program Director (308) 627-4859

Hours: 2pm-4pm 2nd Sunday of each month. If food is needed during rest of the month, please call

Address: 1724 1st Avenue, Kearney NE 68847

Services: Food pantry available for those requiring emergency food assistance

 

Food Resource

Hope Evangelical Free Church

Contact: (308) 234-4673
Hours: 9am –5pm Monday – FridayAddress: 907 C Avenue Kearney NE 68847Services: Offers emergency food assistanceEligibility: Open for attendees of Hope church

Food Resource

Kearney- Community Action Partnership

Contact: (308) 865-5675

Hours: 8am-5pm Monday through Friday, Closed Saturday and Sunday

Address: 16 West 11th Street Kearney NE 68847

Services: Provide emergency CSFP food packages to seniors, food bank mobile/curbside distributions, WIC assistance to families, emergency rental/utility assistance, community health worker outreach to minority populations

Eligibility: Call for more information

 

Food Resource

Kearney eFree Storehouse

Contact: Justine Tschetter, Program Director (308) 455-3302

Hours: By Appointment-Monday, 1:30pm-5:30pm-Tuesday, 9am-12pm-Wednesday, 1:30pm-5:30pm-Thursday, By Appointment-Friday or Please complete this form: https://form.jotform.com/50354374495157

Services: Offers help with food, toiletries and clothing

Address: 4010 7th Avenue Kearney NE 68845-located on North side of the church

 

Food Resource

Kearney Jubilee Center: Thrift Store & Food Pantry

 

Contact: Cheri Clark, Executive Director (308) 234-3880

Hours: 1pm-5pm Monday, Wednesday, Friday. 9am-1pm Tuesday. 10am-2pm Saturday. Closed Thursday & Sunday

Address: 1920 Central Avenue, Kearney NE 68847
Services: Food pantry available for those requiring food assistance

 

Food Resource

Kearney Seventh Day Adventist Church:  Food Pantry

Contact: Greg Bullion, (402) 575-0790

Address: 3312 B Avenue, Kearney NE 68847

Services: Free food pantry available for those requiring food assistance

 

Food Resource

Prince of Peace Food Pantry

Contact: Mike Labum, (308) 224-1694

Hours: 2pm -4pm Monday and Thursday

Address: 2407 West 56th Street, Kearney NE 68845

Services: Food pantry available for those requiring food assistance

 

Food Resource

The Salvation Army- Kearney NE

Contact: Dee Kreutzer, (308) 236-5812

Hours: Tuesdays, 3:00-5:00 PM and Thursdays, 2:00-4:30 PM

Address: 1719 Central Avenue Kearney NE 68847

Services: Food pantry available for those requiring food assistance.

Food Resource

Kearney Little Free Pantries

Contact: Shannan Kramer or Erin Davis, (308) 237-2550

Hours: Accessible to anyone 24 hours a day

Address: 1st location- 1623 Central Avenue on a pole on north east side of Faith United Methodist Church

2nd location- 110 West 24th Street located beside 24 Hour Tees

3rd location- 1923 Central Avenue located in front of Sayler Screenprinting

Services: Free food, clothing, and household products available in a small unlocked cupboard

 

Food Resource

UNK Big Blue Cupboard

Contact: Luis Olivas, (308) 865-8127

Hours: 7am-7pm Mondays through Friday. 11:30am-7pm Saturday and Sunday

Address: 1013 West 27th Street at University of Kearney Nebraska Student Union in the Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion

Services: Provide food and hygiene items to students or employees for the items of their choosing

Eligibility: Open to UNK students and employees needing food support. Community members in need may also utilize the pantry by making an appointment


Peterson Senior Activity Center –
sponsored by Community Action Partnership of Mid NE, City of Kearney and South Central Area Agency on Aging

  • Monday through Friday, curbside meal pickup, starting Monday, June 8
  • 24-hour advance reservations required by calling (308) 233-3278
  • Adults age 60 and over, there is a suggested donation of $4.50 per meal
  • Adults under 60 years of age, a payment of $6.00 per meal is required
  • Accepting checks and cash (exact amount) and pre-paid punch cards
  • Meals may be reserved by the day, week or month

Kearney Meals on Wheels – sponsored by Kearney Housing Agency (KHA)

  • Monday through Friday, meals delivered to home bound
  • Call to determine meal qualifications (308) 234-3000
  • Cost – $5.77 per meal, accepting checks and cash
  • There may be financial assistance for home delivered meals, or if you are home bound and need meals delivered, please contact South Central Nebraska Area Agency on Aging by calling (308) 234-1851 to discuss options; regardless of age. Or contact your assigned DHHS case worker.

 Rural Community Resources

Gibbon

  • Gibbon Little Free Pantry Accessible 24 hrs./day — 705 Court St. Gibbon, NE 68840, (308) 468-5323
  • Food Pantry – Gibbon Faith United Church : Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays: 6:30pm – 8pm, Head Start Basement 1021 First St. Gibbon. Contact: Pastor Mike, (308) 468-5521. Address:1021 First Street Gibbon NE 68840 Located in the Head Start basement

Ravenna

  • Ravenna Love in Action Food Pantry: Hours: Tuesday-Friday: 9:30am-3:30pm—502 Grand Ave Ravenna, NE 68869 Contact: Marty Russel, Program Director,(308)452-4361. Address: 502 Grand Avenue Ravenna NE 68869.
  • Ravenna Senior Center – take- out meals and home delivery for individuals 60 or a spouse of someone who is eligible. Contact Roberta at 308-452-3105. Reservations need 24 hours in advance. Meal service is Monday –Friday and the suggested contribution is $5.50 and for under 60 (ineligible) $7.00.

Shelton

  • Shelton United Methodist Church Food Pantry: Hours: 8am-1pm Tuesday through Friday and 5:30pm-7pm Tuesday. Closed Monday, Saturday, Sunday. Contact: Pastor Carla (308) 230-0822 or Amanda (308) 647-6741. Address: 207 A Street Shelton NE 68876. Services: Food available for those requiring food assistance.

Contact your local school district for information if you live in Elm Creek or Pleasanton.

Mail Order Meals

Home Style Direct www.homestyledirect.com

  • Order meals delivered to your door, direct pay or Medicaid eligible

Mom’s Meals www.momsmeals.com

  • Order meals delivered to your door, direct pay or Medicaid/Medicare eligible. Financial assistance for meals may be available by calling South Central Area Agency on Aging (308) 234-1851

Financial assistance for meals may be available by calling South Central Area Agency on Aging (308) 234-1851

Farmer’s Market

  • Kearney Farmers Market – Saturday 8am – 1pm, Wednesday 2pm-6pm; located at Kearney Hilltop Mall Parking lot
  • Senior vouchers available for Farmer’s Market produce, contact Sue Hutsell, South Central Area Agency on Aging (308) 234-1851
  • Shelton Farmers Market  – 5pm-7pm every Wednesday evening at Shelton Park Pavilion.

Food Security

  • If you are unable to find a meal program that fits your individual or family need, please contact Erin Davis (308) 234-1851 at South Central Area Agency on Aging to see if you qualify for other food assistance programs in the community. If you are home bound and need a meal delivered to your home, contact Erin (308) 234-1851 to be connected with a Helping Hands volunteer.

Emergency Food Assistance Program for people with Cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis: Team Rubicon — Emergency Food Assistance Program


Housing

Your community is working together to offer tools to rebuild a housing foundation for community members in need.

  •  
  • The Kearney Housing Agency launched a housing resource website to assist residents in learning about housing programs in our community.  To access this information log on at http://www.kearneyhousingagency.com.  Resources are also available in Spanish.  An on-line form is available to assist the task force in better understanding the housing needs of our community, and offer their knowledge of resources.
  • Persons who are homeless after hours and weekends are to contact law enforcement at (308) 237-2104 to determine if they would be qualify for one night of lodging supported by vouchers from the Salvation Army. A wonderful partnership between law enforcement and the Salvation Army and SAFE Center.
  • Buffalo County Emergency Shelters
    • Crossroads Shelter: 1404 E 39th Street Kearney, NE 68847, (308)236-5688
    • SAFE Center: (for individuals of domestic violence or sexual assault), 620 E 25th St, #14 Kearney, NE 68847, (308)237-2599
  • Other Temporary Housing Assistance Programs: It is important that you call ahead to learn about these different housing programs. Presenting information to these organizations on the conversation between you and your landlord will be very helpful in understanding your long-term housing plan.

 

  • Buffalo County Housing List. Click here to download >>
    • This list gives contact information for income based housing, mobile home park’s, rental companies, and apartment complexes.

Some churches in the community are able to assist and work very closely with the above-mentioned housing assistance programs.