Stories

This September, communities across America are committing to fight hunger during Hunger Action Month. Feeding America shares, with every action, we get one step closer to making hunger a thing of the past.

At Cake4Kids, volunteers bake and deliver free, custom birthday cakes for underserved children. They may be in group homes, at a domestic violence or human trafficking shelter, in low-income housing with or without a parent, or even homeless. They aim to raise their self-esteem and confidence with a seemingly simple gift on their special day. It may just be a cake, but the children they bake for know that a stranger took the time and effort to do something special just for them.

"We could just feel the sense of love in the room and how important this was to her," said Maddie reflecting on a recent Trans Stitchin' community closet experience. 

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for Douglas County is a nonprofit organization that trains, inspires, and empowers volunteer advocates to improve the lives of children that have been abused and neglected. 

SHARE Omaha’s community-wide Back to School drive, presented by Wells Fargo, helped students start the school year on the right foot. More than 2,000 caring neighbors across the greater Omaha metro took time out of their summer to view nonprofit school supply wish lists and help area youth go back to school with everything they need for a successful school year. Thousands of items were donated by community members through the drive and each nonprofit’s outreach efforts.

"Reading to an infant is something that has a huge impact, not only on their health but bonding for families," says Tracy Madden-McMahon, Methodist Hospital Foundation president and CEO. In fact, parents who read to their infants in the NICU experience less stress and are more likely to read to their infants when they go home. 

This week's #ShopforGood feature, presented by Wells Fargo, shows us how we can help provide books for Methodist Hospital's NICU families.

Stacy has been crafting smiles and spreading joy for birthday girls and boys for over a decade. Arriving multiple times each month at Open Door Mission’s Lydia House with a noticeable pink box in hand, Stacy has made it her mission to bring happiness to children at the emergency shelter by providing personalized cakes for each child on their birthday.

"I love that kids know what the pink box means," Stacy says. “It’s time for their day of celebration, a moment of joy, and a birthday memory to hold onto."

When we heard of Kayla's community-wide volunteerism, using SHARE Omaha to find opportunities, we wanted to hear more about what's motivating her to continue giving her time. Tune in to the Volunteer Voices video below and hear how Kayla has even made her service contagious.

"It helps me feel my cup," she says.

Find volunteer opportunities

Watch the interview with Kayla:

"10% of individuals in our community are diabetic, so there is a huge need. Our goal is that anyone who is diabetic can monitor their blood sugar and know what's happening," Lorie, Dear Diabetes.

At our monthly nonprofit gathering on July 27th we had a chance to hear from 4 local nonprofits about what's happening right now at their organization.

Watch the Coffee Chat with Women of Wisdom, Inc: