Assistance After Hours
If a client needs assistance outside of the Center's operating hours, he/she should call or visit the Center's executive director. The Center will do everything it can to accommodate a client's needs.
Clothing Closet
Open every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10am to 3pm, the clothing closet can be utilized once every 30 days. There is no limit to how many pieces of clothing a client may take. The clothing closet also houses a play area for children to enjoy.
Pantry Services
The pantry is open every Wednesday and Friday from 10am to 12pm In compliance with government regulations, the head of household must provide a picture ID, a recent piece of mail and a social security card for every member of the household to be eligible to receive USDA commodities. If a client does not have the required documentation, he/she can receive a pantry consisting of non-USDA commodities including pasta, cereal, soup, canned vegetables and fruits, juice, cheeses and fresh produce from the Center's 4,000 square foot garden (in the spring and summer months). Families are eligible for pantry services once every 30 days (if an area pantry that provides USDA commodities has not been utilized in the last 30 days).
Sack Lunch Program
The Center currently offers sack lunches Monday through Friday from 11am to 12pm Each lunch consists of one sandwich, two snacks and a bottled water. There are no requirements other than individuals must be present to receive a lunch.
Community Outreach Events and Educational Classes
The Center hosts various outreach events every month to the public, free of charge. These events include sports and school physicals, immunizations for pre-kindergartners and junior high school students, backpack giveaway with school supplies, ice cream socials, summer fun days, neighborhood clean-ups, winter coat giveaway, flu vaccinations, health screenings and wellness informational sessions. The Center also partners with numerous organizations like Legal Aid of Nebraska, Creighton University and Woodmen of the World to provide free classes to any interested individuals. These classes cover such topics as budgeting, the evils of payroll advance and legal rights as a tenant and debtor. For more details about these events and classes, please call the Center.
Community Volunteer Program
The Center encourages each client to volunteer bagging groceries, stocking shelves and performing other miscellaneous tasks. After volunteering six hours, he/she is eligible to receive additional food, clothes and other desired goods.
Health and Dental Care
Every Wednesday from 9am to 1pm, a nurse practitioner from Creighton University treats clients with acute health care problems at no cost. Any client being treated by the nurse practitioner may shop for groceries immediately afterwards and is not required to wait until the pantry opens at 10am.
Beginning in late 2011, the Center will be expanding its offerings to include dental cleanings, tooth extractions and cavity fillings.
While clients do not need to set up an appointment to see the nurse practitioner, the dental clinic will require appointments, providing services to school children first.
Referral Program
Because there is a limited supply of certain household and personal care items like cleaning supplies, toilet paper, laundry soap, diapers and baby items, the Center strongly encourages each client to have a referral. The Center will accept a referral from any social service agency, church, school or other reputable organization. Referrals commonly come from state workers, school counselors, pastors or case managers.
Holiday Programs
The Center provides Thanksgiving baskets and Christmas food baskets and presents to families nominated by OPS counselors or referred by Sacred Heart School. The food basket provides a holiday meal for a family and often times includes a turkey or ham, potatoes, gravy, bread, vegetables and desserts. During Christmas time, nominated families will receive presents based off a list completed by the head of household. The Center is also a distribution site for the Marine Corp Toys for Tots program.
Resource Center
By appointment, clients may utilize the Center's resource room to search for online job postings and update resumes. Center employees are available to help clients apply for Medicaid or SNAP, create a resume, conduct a job search or draft a cover letter.
Self-Sufficiency Program
Offered to female heads of household, this 12-week program is designed to help women break the cycle of poverty. Participants learn about nutrition, vocational opportunities, budgeting and related issues. In addition, participants are required to volunteer at the Center, which emphasizes the importance of giving back to the community. To learn more about this program, please contact Ericka Guinan at (402) 451-2321, ext. 105.
Youth Mentoring
Youth males ages 7-16 and their mentors spend time completing various tasks in a group setting. A majority of these activities take place on a farm outside of Omaha and include such tasks as building birdhouses and planting trees. Once the designated task has been completed, participants fish or take part in sports and activities with their mentors. To enroll a youth in this program, please contact Mr. John Levy at (402) 451-2321, ext. 101.
