Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How one Omaha nonprofit is filling kids’ holiday meal gaps
Be sure to catch Farnam Winter Pop-Up on the Omaha Patch calendar
Hello Omaha! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How one Omaha nonprofit is filling kids’ holiday meal gaps
- How is Guiding Grace stepping up amid SNAP and Medicaid changes?
- How will Project Game ON reshape North High and its neighborhood?
Also on today's calendar: Farnam Winter Pop-Up and 4 more events.
Find out what's happening in Omahafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Omahafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Wednesday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 52 and low of 36 degrees.
- Thursday: Afternoon mist; breezy, temps: high: 49, low: 41.
- Friday: Partly sunny, with a high of 60 and low of 38 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Omaha nonprofit increases support for families during winter break (ketv.com) — Families across Omaha who rely on Completely Kids’ afterschool programs can get free full-day childcare and take-home food during winter break, as the nonprofit ramps up support. Staff and volunteers are packing more than 500 food bags to bridge holiday meal gaps, helping kids stay fed from Christmas through long non-school days at the center. 
2. Omaha's Guiding Grace supports families amid new SNAP and Medicaid challenges (ketv.com) — An Omaha nonprofit called Guiding Grace is seeing a 220% jump in families seeking help as new SNAP and Medicaid rules create confusion and stress. From job training and housing support to parenting classes, the group works out of Center Mall to connect Omaha parents—especially single fathers—to state resources and long-term employment pathways.
3. Omaha city council approves zoning changes for 'Project Game ON' (ketv.com) — Omaha’s City Council has cleared the way for “Project Game ON,” approving zoning changes for a new North High School stadium and a new Butler-Gast YMCA at 34th and Ames. Funded by local and private foundations plus a state grant, the project aims to boost neighborhood recreation and community life, with construction expected to finish in 2027.
4. Omaha native to star in Paramount+ thriller, reflects on time in community theater (wowt.com) — An Omaha-born actress is about to headline the Paramount+ thriller “Critical Impact,” and she credits Omaha’s community theaters and schools for launching her career. Jhoné Lucas reflects on growing up in North Omaha, training at Omaha South’s Performing Arts Magnet and the Rose Theater, and shares a message encouraging residents to keep supporting local talent long before they become famous.
5. More details emerge about suspect in Omaha cemetery theft (wowt.com) — Investigators are sharing new information about the suspected theft of bronze letters from the Omaha National Cemetery entrance sign. A local man now faces an arrest warrant in Sarpy County, with officers tracing the missing letters to a scrapyard and linking the seller’s ID to him while he remains jailed on separate Douglas County charges.
📸 Around Omaha
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Omaha
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Farnam Winter Pop-Up
Midtown Crossing, 3320 Farnam St, Omaha, NE, 68131
10:00 am - Noon Year's Eve
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium , 3701 S 10th St , Omaha
10:00 am - New Years Eve Party
Smash Park La Vista , 8121 S 125th St , La Vista
10:00 am - NYE at The Granary
Venues at The Granary, Bushwackers at The Granary, Granary Green 7401 Main St Ralston, NE 68127
7:00 pm - NYE with Johnny Beehner!
Funny Bone Omaha , 710 N 114th St , Omaha
7:00 pm - Farnam Winter Pop-Up
Midtown Crossing, 3320 Farnam Street Suite 2101
10:00 am - The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Omaha, NE
DoubleTree by Hilton Omaha Southwest , 3650 S 72nd St , Omaha
6:00 pm
Saturday December 27
Wednesday December 31
Friday January 2
Saturday January 3
📣 Omaha Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Library Closes 5 PM - Christmas Eve
La Vista Public Library , 9110 Giles Road , La Vista
5:00 pm - Thursday Power Partners
Courtyard by Marriott at Beardmore Event Center , 3750 Raynor Pkwy , Bellevue
8:00 am - Library Closed - Christmas Day
La Vista Public Library , 9110 Giles Road , La Vista
10:00 am - Business Builders
Dayspring Bank , 5370 South 72nd Street , Ralston
9:00 am - Connection Crew TIPS Group
Outlook Enrichment , 4125 South 72nd Street , Omaha
9:00 am
Wednesday December 24
Thursday December 25
Friday December 26
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Omaha PatchAM possible:
- Ludemann Construction — (402) 813-9122
Your go-to partner for home improvement
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- FOX UPDATE
This is a before and after photo of the fox we trapped near 48th and Bancroft Street, what an amazing transformation that has taken place so far… (Nextdoor Robin Hill) - We wanted to share a couple photos from the Christmaslandvalley Drive thru light show.
Our family filled our van and signed up for the 4:30 pm time slot. We packed cold sandwiches to go, arrived at 4:30 (we were third in line) and… (Nextdoor Greenfields)
- Omaha Public Schools is ready to welcome incoming kindergarten students! Join us on Jan. 16, 2026, for Kindergarten Registration. Find more... (X: OmahaPubSchool)
- I-680 WB: Exit ramp closed due to a crash at Exit ramp to US 6 EB.=... (X: NDOTomaha)
- Sodexo posted a job opening for Floor Technician in Omaha. Apply here.
- Burlington posted a job opening for Customer Service Lead - Part-Time in Omaha. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Omaha here.
Ok Omaha! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I got tired of the hole business.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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