How We Help Overcome Poverty

Rent and Utility Assistance

• Rent and Utility Assistance program summary:  Often the largest bills each month are for rent and utilities. Getting help with a daunting bill payment even just once can turn the tide and help an individual or family reach financial stability again. No one should have to choose between heating their home during the frigid winter months and putting food on the table, and yet, sadly, many are forced to make that very choice. That's why we are grateful to work with Black Hills Energy to offer utility assistance via HeatShare funds. Learn more about Heatshare.
• Rent and Utility Assistance population served:  Each year we help more than 450 individuals with rent assistance and nearly 800 individuals with utility assistance.
• Rent and Utility Assistance eligibility:  Families and individuals are eligible for rent and utility assistance once every 12 months. 

Fuel Assistance and Bus Tickets

• Fuel Assistance and Bus Tickets program summary:  Having to travel beyond Kearney to attend doctor's appointments can rapidly increase fuel costs for families and individuals. Each year we provide nearly 300 individuals and families with gasoline assistance so they can afford to travel to get the medical care they need. We also provide bus tickets to those who need to travel for an out-of-town funeral or other family emergencies. 

Christmas Assistance

• Christmas Assistance program summary:  The holidays can put an even greater strain on an already-tight budget. We ensure that Christmas is bright and worry-free for families by providing food baskets and toys through our Angel Tree program.

Food Pantry

• Food Pantry hours:  Tuesdays from 3 - 5 p.m. and Thursdays from 2 - 4:30 p.m.
• Food Pantry program summary:  An estimated 81.5 percent of adults in Buffalo County eat fewer than the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables each day. To help ensure a well-balanced diet, our food pantry offers fresh fruits and vegetables in addition to canned and packaged staples, meat and dairy items. Families are eligible to receive assistance every 30 days. To supplement food needs between monthly visits, the pantry also offers bread and a selection of canned and packaged food on a weekly basis.

Pathway of Hope

• Pathway of Hope population served:  The goal of Pathway of Hope is to guide families with children 18 years and younger through crisis and instability to a place of security in order to ultimately break the intergenerational cycle of poverty. 
• We offer strengths-based casework, providing services such as:
  • financial counseling and planning
  • goal setting with manageable action steps
  • job training, referrals and employment assistance
  • assistance with securing housing and child care
  • emotional and spiritual support
• Pathway of Hope program summary:  Pathway of Hope works with people where they are, offering practical guidance to help families overcome obstacles and achieve their big-picture goals.