A Sacred Network of Mutual Aid
Nebraska
Resources & Refuge
"You are not alone. Whatever has brought you here, there is help across the Cornhusker State — from Omaha to Lincoln to the Panhandle. Shelter, food, healing, and hands ready to hold yours. Begin wherever you need to."
Immediate Help in Nebraska
Find Help Now
Real, currently operating resources across Nebraska. Choose a path below — each holds verified shelters, programs, and organizations ready to help today.
The Sanctuary
Emergency shelter and a safe place to rest across Nebraska.
Siena Francis House
City: Omaha
Services: Nebraska's largest emergency shelter — overnight shelter, meals, clothing, medical respite, and addiction rehabilitation, 24/7/365
Notes: 350 beds for men, 100 for women (age 19+), in separate dorms. Low-barrier; an "open door" policy strives never to turn anyone away.
Address: 1117 N 17th St, Omaha, NE 68102
Website: sienafrancis.org
Open Door Mission
City: Omaha
Services: Emergency shelter, meals, clothing, and recovery — including the Lydia House for women, children, and families
Notes: A Christ-centered campus providing more than 4,800 meals and 900+ nightly beds across its programs.
Website: opendoormission.org
Stephen Center
City: Omaha (South)
Services: Emergency shelter, addiction treatment, and behavioral health, with on-site health care
Notes: Partners to help individuals and families overcome homelessness, substance use, and mental-health concerns.
Website: stephencenter.org
People's City Mission
City: Lincoln
Services: Emergency shelter, three meals a day every day, a free clothing/help center, and housing support
Notes: Lincoln's main homeless shelter — never turns away anyone in genuine need. Help Center at 6800 P St (402-475-6888).
Crossroads / Regional Missions
City: Hastings, Fremont, Norfolk & more
Services: Emergency shelter and meals in Nebraska's smaller cities — Crossroads Center (Hastings), Care Corps LifeHouse (Fremont), Norfolk Rescue Mission
Notes: Outside Omaha and Lincoln, these missions are the local front door. Dial 211 to confirm the nearest.
Phone: Dial 211
Nebraska 211 — Shelter Help
City: Statewide
Services: 24/7 help finding a shelter bed or warming space anywhere in Nebraska
Notes: Dial 211 to be connected to coordinated entry and the nearest open shelter.
Phone: Dial 211
No safe place tonight? Dial 211 any time. In a Nebraska winter, shelters expand capacity during dangerous cold — 211 can help you get inside.
Bread of Life
Food banks, pantries, and hot meals across Nebraska.
Food Bank for the Heartland
City: Omaha (serves 93 counties)
Services: The region's largest food bank, supplying pantries and mobile distributions across most of Nebraska and western Iowa
Notes: Use the online finder to locate a pantry or mobile pantry near you.
Website: foodbankheartland.org/find-help
Food Bank of Lincoln
City: Lincoln / SE Nebraska (16 counties)
Services: Pantry network, the Lincoln Fresh produce truck, and free SNAP application help
Notes: SNAP hotline: 855-444-5556. Office at 2241 O St, Lincoln.
Phone: 402-474-1600
Website: lincolnfoodbank.org
Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach
City: Lincoln
Services: Two free prepared meals a day, every day, plus the Fresh Choice Pantry and outreach/SNAP help
Notes: Lunch 11:30am–12:30pm, dinner 5:30–6:30pm daily — everyone is welcome.
The Gathering Place
City: Lincoln
Services: A free, hot evening meal served every night in a welcoming, hospitable setting
Notes: Served 5:00–6:00pm daily. A program of Community Action Partnership.
Phone: 402-476-7398
Address: 1448 E St, Lincoln, NE 68508
SNAP stretches further than any pantry — see The Providence to apply, and you can use a shelter as your address. Nebraska's Double Up Food Bucks doubles your SNAP dollars on fresh produce.
The Healing Hand
Free and low-cost clinics, behavioral health, and care for people without stable housing.
OneWorld Community Health Centers
City: Omaha & eastern NE
Services: Medical, dental, and behavioral health care on a sliding scale regardless of insurance or housing status
Notes: A federally qualified health center with locations across the metro.
Website: oneworldomaha.org
Charles Drew Health Center
City: Omaha (North)
Services: Community health center — primary care, dental, behavioral health, and pediatrics on a sliding scale
Notes: Serves North Omaha regardless of ability to pay.
Website: charlesdrew.com
Community Health Centers (FQHCs)
City: Statewide
Services: Sliding-scale medical, dental, and behavioral health care across Nebraska
Notes: Health centers serve communities statewide. Dial 211 to find the nearest.
Phone: Dial 211
Medicaid & Healthcare Coverage
City: Statewide
Services: Free or low-cost health coverage for eligible adults, children, and people with disabilities
Notes: Apply through iServe Nebraska or ACCESSNebraska, alongside SNAP and other benefits.
Website: iserve.nebraska.gov
For a mental-health or substance-use crisis, call or text 988 anytime — free, confidential, 24/7.
The Haven
Safe places to shelter from the cold, plus guidance on camping in Nebraska.
Winter & Emergency Warming
City: Statewide (winter)
Services: Expanded shelter capacity and warming spaces during dangerous Plains cold
Notes: Omaha and Lincoln shelters add overflow space in extreme cold. Dial 211 for the nearest open site.
Phone: Dial 211 (24/7)
Street Outreach
City: Omaha & Lincoln
Services: Outreach workers who meet people outdoors and connect them to shelter, services, and weather alerts
Notes: Matt Talbot (Lincoln) and metro agencies run outreach. Request it through 211.
Phone: Dial 211
Camping & Public Space — Know Before You Stay
City: Statewide
Services: Guidance on where it is and isn't legal to sleep outdoors in Nebraska
Notes: Rules vary by city and can change quickly. Before settling somewhere, check with local outreach or 211, and see Rights & Laws below.
Phone: Dial 211 (24/7)
Nebraska winters can be deadly to sleep through unsheltered. If you have nowhere safe to go, call 211 — they will help you get inside.
Living Waters
Showers, laundry, and personal-care access through shelters and day programs.
Siena Francis House
City: Omaha
Services: Showers, clothing, and personal-care/hygiene items for guests alongside shelter and meals
Notes: Hygiene items are provided as part of intake. See The Sanctuary for details.
Address: 1117 N 17th St, Omaha, NE 68102
Website: sienafrancis.org
Open Door Mission
City: Omaha
Services: Showers, clothing, and hygiene access through its shelter and day programs
Notes: Ask staff about current day-services hours.
Website: opendoormission.org
Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach
City: Lincoln
Services: A welcoming day setting with meals, outreach, and connection to hygiene and basic-need resources
Notes: Outreach staff are in the dining room during meals to connect you to services. See The Sanctuary/Bread tabs.
Phone: 402-477-4116
Address: 2121 N 27th St, Lincoln, NE 68503
Hygiene and laundry access shifts by site and season. 211 keeps the most current list of open day programs and shelters near you.
The Guardian
Free civil legal aid — your rights around housing, eviction, benefits, and safety.
Legal Aid of Nebraska
City: Statewide
Services: Free civil legal help — eviction, housing, public benefits, family, consumer, and elder law
Notes: Call the AccessLine, the statewide intake hotline, or apply online. Free and confidential.
Phone: 1-877-250-2016
Website: legalaidofnebraska.org
Nebraska Appleseed
City: Statewide
Services: Advocacy and legal support around poverty, housing, public benefits, and immigrant rights
Notes: Works on systemic issues plus help navigating benefits like SNAP and Medicaid.
Website: neappleseed.org
UNL Civil Clinic
City: Lincoln
Services: Free legal help from supervised law students on civil matters, including housing and family law
Notes: A clinical program of the University of Nebraska College of Law.
Website: law.unl.edu/clinics
Nebraska Free Legal Answers
City: Statewide (online)
Services: Post a civil legal question online and get a free answer from a volunteer Nebraska attorney
Notes: A good option for non-emergency questions when you can't reach a hotline.
Website: ne.freelegalanswers.org
Facing eviction? Don't wait — contact Legal Aid of Nebraska's AccessLine as soon as you receive a notice. You have a right to notice and a hearing before you can be removed.
The Providence
Government benefits — food, health coverage, cash assistance, and emergency help.
iServe Nebraska
City: Statewide
Services: Apply for food (SNAP), utilities, healthcare, childcare, and other help — one benefit or several at once
Notes: Nebraska's newer one-stop application portal. No permanent address required — you can use a shelter.
Website: iserve.nebraska.gov
DHHS / ACCESSNebraska
City: Statewide
Services: SNAP, ADC (cash assistance), Medicaid, and energy assistance through the state benefits system
Notes: Apply by phone or online. Homeless applicants may qualify for expedited SNAP. SNAP application help: 855-444-5556.
Phone: 1-800-383-4278
Website: dhhs.ne.gov
Social Security Administration
City: Statewide
Services: SSI and SSDI disability benefits, retirement, and survivor benefits
Notes: You can apply without a permanent address. Ask about expedited SSI if you're homeless.
Phone: 1-800-772-1213
Website: ssa.gov
Nebraska 211
City: Statewide
Services: Free, confidential help finding any benefit, program, or service in Nebraska
Notes: Available 24/7. Also connects to rent, utility, and energy assistance.
Phone: Dial 211
SNAP eligibility rules changed in late 2025 — if you're unsure whether you qualify, the Food Bank SNAP team (855-444-5556) or Legal Aid can help you apply and appeal for free.
The Shepherd
Faith-based and community organizations offering food, shelter, and warm support.
Open Door Mission
City: Omaha
Services: Christ-centered shelter, meals, clothing, and recovery — including the Lydia House for women and families
Notes: See The Sanctuary for shelter details. All are welcome.
Website: opendoormission.org
People's City Mission
City: Lincoln
Services: Christian shelter, meals, free clothing/help center, and a medical clinic
Notes: See The Sanctuary for details. Serves anyone in genuine need.
Phone: 402-475-1303
Website: pcmlincoln.org
The Salvation Army
City: Omaha, Lincoln & statewide
Services: Food pantries, emergency assistance, shelter, and seasonal support
Notes: Local corps across Nebraska. Lincoln pantry at 2625 Potter St (402-474-6263).
Website: salvationarmy.org
Catholic Charities / Catholic Social Services
City: Omaha & Lincoln
Services: Food, emergency assistance, counseling, and immigration services
Notes: Help offered to people of all faiths. Catholic Charities (Omaha) and Catholic Social Services (Lincoln).
Website: ccomaha.org
Many Nebraska congregations quietly help neighbors beyond what's listed here. If you have a home church, ask — and 211 can connect you to faith-based aid near you.
Know Where You Stand
Nebraska Rights & Laws
A plain-language look at the laws that affect people experiencing homelessness in Nebraska.
Food Benefits Without an Address
You do not need a permanent address to get SNAP in Nebraska. You can list a shelter or where you usually stay, and have your EBT card sent there or to a trusted contact.
Homeless applicants often qualify for expedited benefits within 7 days. Apply through iServe Nebraska or ACCESSNebraska.
SNAP rules changed in late 2025 — the Food Bank SNAP team (855-444-5556) offers free help understanding and applying.
Eviction & Tenant Rights
A Nebraska landlord cannot simply put you out. They must go through the court, and you have the right to notice and a hearing.
- "Self-help" evictions (lockouts, removing belongings) are illegal
- You have the right to a hearing before removal
- Free eviction defense is available through Legal Aid of Nebraska
- Always respond to court papers — don't ignore them
Surviving the Cold
Nebraska has no statewide right to shelter, but shelters in Omaha, Lincoln, and beyond expand capacity during dangerous cold.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), through ACCESSNebraska or iServe, can help keep your heat on.
On any bitter night, dial 211 to find the nearest warming space or open shelter bed.
Fair Treatment & Camping
The federal Fair Housing Act protects you from discrimination in housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status, or disability.
Camping rules vary by city, and following Grants Pass v. Johnson (2024), cities may enforce camping bans even when shelter is full.
If you face discrimination or lose property in a sweep, contact Legal Aid of Nebraska or Nebraska Appleseed.
Across the Cornhusker State
Help by Region
Resources reach across Nebraska. Here's where to start in some of the larger communities.
Omaha & Douglas County
Douglas County
Siena Francis House, Open Door Mission, Stephen Center, Food Bank for the Heartland, OneWorld and Charles Drew health centers.
Start: Siena Francis House or dial 211.
Lincoln & Lancaster County
Lancaster County
People's City Mission, Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach, The Gathering Place, Food Bank of Lincoln, and CenterPointe.
Start: People's City Mission 402-475-1303 or dial 211.
Grand Island & Central
Hall County
Hope Harbor and area food pantries serve central Nebraska, with Crossroads Center in nearby Hastings.
Start: Dial 211 for shelter and food.
Fremont & Northeast
Dodge & Madison
Care Corps LifeHouse (Fremont) and Norfolk Rescue Mission anchor services in northeast Nebraska.
Start: Dial 211 for the nearest shelter.
The Panhandle
Scotts Bluff & the West
Community Action Partnership of Western Nebraska (CAPWN) and area pantries serve the western counties.
Start: Dial 211 for western Nebraska resources.
Statewide Lifelines
All 93 Counties
Nebraska 211, the two food banks, Legal Aid of Nebraska, and iServe/ACCESSNebraska reach every corner of the state.
Start: Dial 211 — it covers every Nebraska ZIP code.
Pathways Forward
Nebraska Programs
Larger initiatives that move people from crisis toward stable housing.
Coordinated Entry
Through: The Metro Area Continuum of Care (Omaha) & the Nebraska Balance of State CoC
Helps with: A single assessment that prioritizes you for available shelter and housing in your community.
Start: In Omaha, shelters like Siena Francis House are access points; statewide, dial 211.
Rapid Re-Housing & Supportive Housing
Through: Together Inc., CenterPointe & local partners
Helps with: Short-term rental assistance and longer-term supportive housing with case management.
Start: Ask a shelter case manager or dial 211.
Nebraska Investment Finance Authority
Through: NIFA
Helps with: Affordable rental housing and homebuyer assistance for income-eligible Nebraskans.
Start: Dial 211 or ask a case manager about affordable housing near you.
Find Help Near You
Resource Map
An interactive map of Nebraska resources is on its way as the Network grows.
Interactive Map — Coming Soon
Soon this map will plot shelters, food, clinics, hygiene sites, and warming centers near your location across Nebraska.
Until then, dial 211 anytime for live, location-based help — or choose a city to be pointed in the right direction.
The Network Grows
Angel Outreach in Nebraska
Beyond these public resources, the Angel Network is preparing its own offerings for people in need across Nebraska.
Angel Offerings — Gathering
As angels gather and The Chalice fills, Hope & Grace will extend direct blessings, partner outreach, and community support to souls right here in Nebraska.
These offerings will appear here as the Network grows. If you are in need today, please request a blessing — and lean on the verified resources above in the meantime.
You Are Not Alone
However You Arrived Here
Whether you need shelter tonight or hope to one day become an angel for someone else — there is a place for you in this Network.