Chase Zagurski
Food insecurity is a very real issue for college students in the Omaha metro area, despite broad considerations that higher education is a place of privilege.
The United States Department of Education found in a study that 3.8 million college students nationwide had experienced food insecurity in 2020. According to another study published by the American Psychological Association, food insecurity among college students negatively affects academic performance, and students facing dire food insecurity are more likely to face elevated levels of stress, anxiety and depression.
Organizer Sue Startzer stocks foodstuffs on shelves in First United Methodist Church Pantry, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Springfield, Neb.
Former University of Nebraska at Omaha journalism major Jerome Bradford was food insecure during his time at UNO. His struggle often meant he had to make a tough choice between falling behind or going hungry.
“You know, a lot of times with the food insecurity, I would hope that a book wasn’t too high [price], you know, because if you’re paying for a textbook and it’s higher than you expect, then that’s going to affect your meals for the week,” Bradford said.
Across the Omaha metro, there is a wide support network of charities like Food Bank for the Heartland, Open Door Mission and UNO’s own Maverick Food Pantry that provide free or low-cost food aid so that students don’t have to make difficult decisions like Bradford had to.
Larger institutions like Food Bank for the Heartland take on a more regional approach to fighting hunger. Among other smaller local pantries across Nebraska and western Iowa, the Food Bank for the Heartland partners with the First United Methodist Church Pantry in Springfield, providing its staff with meats and perishable goods.
Sue Startzer has been organizing the First United Pantry’s since she retired, working to serve the Sarpy and Cass County communities one meal at a time.
The entrance to First United Methodist Church Pantry, located in the former Main Street elementary school, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Springfield, Neb.
“So then the gap between what they have and what they need is larger, we can fill that,” Startzer said. “I can’t give them money for electricity, I can’t give them money for gas for their car, but I can give them food.”
Food banks are always looking for volunteers and donations in their fight against hunger. Consider reaching out to your local food bank to see how you can help.
