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Council allocates $150,000 in Keno revenue to four local food-assistance groups
Summary
The council approved a $150,000 Keno revenue allocation for food assistance in 2026, dividing the amount among four local food providers amid rising food insecurity and expected federal cuts.
The Omaha City Council voted 7–0 to increase the Keno Fund revenue estimate by $150,000 for 2026 and to allocate that money to four nonprofit food providers: Food Bank for the Heartland, Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue, Together Inc., and Heart Ministry Center.
Nut graf: Council member Pete Festersen proposed the allocation, citing new Keno management revenue from the city of Kearney and rising local need. Nonprofit leaders told the council the additional funds will help address increased demand as federal food programs face cuts.
What the council approved Council members approved a one-time appropriation of $150,000 to the Keno Fund and designated $37,500 to each of the four organizations. The motion carried unanimously.
Why proponents urged the allocation Tim Williams, government affairs officer for Food Bank for the Heartland, told the council that Douglas County’s food insecurity rate has climbed in recent years and that the food bank expects sustained, high demand. Williams said federal commodity reductions and changes to SNAP will increase pressure on local emergency food providers.
Alicia Christiansen, director of policy and advocacy at Together Inc., said the organization’s pantry has seen daily visitor averages grow from 155 in 2023 to 203 in 2025 and that the funding would increase capacity.
Lundley Corbett Kuntz, representing Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue, described their model of same-day rescue and delivery of perishable foods to nonprofits and said the funds would support delivery operations that they provide free to partners.
Dominyron (Dominy) Ron, CEO of Heart Ministry Center, said the center operates the largest pantry in Nebraska and projected distributing more than 3.17 million pounds of food in 2025; he described the funds as critical to meeting growing need.
Council context and financing Festersen said the $150,000 is a conservative estimate of new management-fee revenue produced by a recent contract to operate Keno in Kearney. Council member Melton clarified that Keno funds are statutorily limited to community service programs and cannot be used for general infrastructure or road maintenance.
Ending Council members described the allocation as a timely, one-time response to testimony at budget hearings and to recent federal funding uncertainty for food assistance programs.
