Poverty presents a significant challenge for many, and achieving financial stability is often a complex journey. The Food Bank Of Lincoln recognizes this complexity and is proactively engaging with the community through its impactful program, Bridges Out of Poverty. This initiative is designed to foster a deeper understanding of the multifaceted nature of poverty and dismantle misconceptions surrounding it.
Bridges Out of Poverty is a comprehensive program that aims to cultivate awareness and empathy regarding the mindset and obstacles faced by individuals experiencing poverty daily. It offers valuable insights for those who may not have firsthand experience with these challenges, enabling them to comprehend the systemic barriers that individuals in poverty encounter. Alynn Sampson, Youth and Family Programs Director at the Food Bank of Lincoln, highlights the transformative impact of the program: “Many individuals who are running programs and creating procedures at an agency or business have said they have gained empathy and understand the perspective of those experiencing poverty. They see how easy it can be for us to jump to unfair conclusions about why or how individuals get into a particular situation.” By fostering this understanding, Bridges Out of Poverty empowers community groups, employers, and donors to provide more effective and practical support to those in need within Lincoln and surrounding areas.
The program’s reach is amplified through the support of organizations like the Lincoln Community Foundation, which provided a grant to facilitate the program’s funding and expansion. Thanks to this support, the Food Bank of Lincoln has successfully trained 679 individuals through the Bridges Out of Poverty curriculum, extending its positive influence across the community.
Beyond community-wide training, Food Bank of Lincoln’s Bridges Out of Poverty program directly empowers individuals through its Getting Ahead in a Just-Getting’-by World curriculum. These consistent weekly classes are structured to equip participants with the tools to overcome personal barriers, cultivate supportive social networks, and develop actionable plans for a more secure future. Collaborating with Community Learning Centers, the Getting Ahead program has already assisted 50 individuals in Lincoln since its inception, demonstrating its growing impact on individual lives.
Recognizing the crucial role of employers in community stability, Food Bank of Lincoln also offers Workplace Stability Training. This specialized training focuses on practical strategies for employers to reduce employee turnover by fostering greater stability in their employees’ lives outside of work. The program underscores the direct correlation between an employee’s overall well-being and their workplace efficiency, demonstrating that supporting employees’ holistic needs benefits both the individual and the business.
Through Bridges Out of Poverty, the Food Bank of Lincoln is not just providing food assistance; it is actively working to transform community perceptions and build a more supportive and understanding environment for everyone. By addressing the root causes of poverty through education and empathy, the Food Bank of Lincoln is strengthening the entire Lincoln community, making it a more resilient and equitable place for all its residents.
