Financial Stability - Volunteers at Hope Harbor

Our goal is to cut the number of low-income families that are financially unstable in half.

There are a growing number of people in our community who are struggling to make ends meet. Heartland United Way agencies provide financial assistance and education to help families through crisis situations and to develop plans for moving forward. People in our communities have also increased their literacy, basic educational skills or English proficiency to improve their socioeconomic status.

A green ornament with the Heartland United Way logo and the words Christmas Cheer Holiday Food Program

Christmas Cheer was established in 1910 to provide a helping hand to local families during the holidays. A volunteer board operated this program, and in 2024 the Heartland United Way started to carry on this tradition. This program provides a grocery voucher for a holiday meal to people in need in Hall County people.
Sign up for this programs begins in October.
The Adopt a Family program allows businesses, community members, and organizations to provide local families with food, necessity items, and gifts during the holidays. Families accepted into this program are experiencing extraordinary needs due to job loss, health issues, a house fire, or other major circumstances.
Individuals who wish to be a part of our Holiday Adopt a Family Program must get a referral and complete the online only application to be considered. Many area churches also help refer individuals to the programs. If you do not have an existing relationship with a local church or social worker at one of the qualified referral locations, call the Heartland United Way office at (308) 382-2675 for assistance.

A giant elephant stuffed animal sits among other toys during the 2024 Heartland United Way Holiday Toy Drive.

Heartland United Way works in partnership with the U.S. Marine Corp each year to offer the Heartland United Way Toy Drive & Toys for Tots Distribution. Children must be 12 years old or younger and reside with you in Hall, Hamilton, Howard, or Merrick Counties in Nebraska to be eligible for this program. 
Parents whose children are accepted into the program will receive a letter/voucher to “shop” for their child’s gift from the donated items. The goal is to collect enough items so each child will receive one toy, a stuffed animal, and a book or game.
Applications open in October and close in early December.