Goodfellows night at barnato
Thursday, October 22, 2026
Join us for a night of music at Barnato to benefit Goodfellows! Featuring live performances from local artists Madelyn Grace, Drew Phillips and Trent Brown.
A Tradition of Giving Back
Support to Goodfellows helps local families navigate hard times—providing emergency assistance and connections to vital resources when they need it most.
The Omaha World-Herald: A Legacy of Community Support
Since the 1890s, Goodfellows has been a pillar of support for individuals and families across the Omaha metro. What began as a holiday initiative led by the Omaha World-Herald to help families in need has grown into a year-round commitment to provide emergency assistance with food, clothing, shelter and medical expenses.
In 2020, United Way of the Midlands joined forces with the Omaha World-Herald to expand Goodfellows’ reach and impact. By combining trusted local roots with United Way’s expertise and resources, this partnership ensures that support goes further — uplifting neighbors when they need it most.
Goodfellows stands as a testament to the power of community-driven philanthropy: neighbors helping neighbors, year after year.
Helping Your fellow neighbor
Through Goodfellows, we offer crucial support to families on tight budgets by mobilizing community funds during a crisis.
Your impact last year:
How We Help
Funds support:
- Basic needs like food, clothing, household essentials
- Emergency financial aid for rent, utilities and medical expenses
- Seasonal support including meals and gifts during the holidays
- Unexpected hardships such as job loss or illness
How You Can Help
Goodfellows Omaha directs funds toward immediate, essential support for individuals and families in crisis. This includes covering basic needs like food, clothing and household essentials, as well as providing emergency financial aid for rent, utilities and medical expenses. During the holidays, Goodfellows extends seasonal support by offering meals and gifts to families who otherwise might not be able to celebrate. Additionally, funds are set aside to assist those facing unexpected hardships, such as job loss or illness. With a strong commitment to minimizing administrative costs, donations go directly to helping Omaha’s most vulnerable residents, maximizing each contribution’s impact on the community.
Basic Needs Assistance
Food and Nutrition: Helping families secure essential groceries and meals, especially during times of crisis.
Clothing and Essentials: Providing clothing, shoes and necessary household items for families who may lack resources.
Emergency Financial Support
Rent and Utilities: Offering short-term assistance with rent and utility bills to prevent evictions and keep families in stable housing.
Medical Expenses: Covering emergency medical costs for those who need immediate care but lack financial means.
Holiday Assistance
Seasonal Support: Every year, funds are allocated to provide holiday meals, gifts and supplies for families who may not have the resources to celebrate, keeping the program’s legacy of holiday giving alive.
Special Case Assistance
Unforeseen Hardships: Support for individuals and families affected by sudden crises, such as job loss, illness, or other unexpected challenges that strain their resources.
Administrative Efficiency
Direct Community Investment: The majority of Goodfellows funds go directly to aid recipients, with minimal administrative costs, ensuring that donations make the maximum impact.
Meet the Partners
The Goodfellows program in Omaha has a rich history rooted in community compassion and generosity. Founded by the Omaha World-Herald in the 1890s, Goodfellows began as a holiday-driven initiative to support families in need, especially those affected by hardship, poverty or other challenging circumstances. What started as seasonal assistance soon evolved into a year-round commitment to provide emergency assistance to Omaha residents.
Throughout its history, Goodfellows has remained a trusted source of support offering help with basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter and medical expenses. Its impact has grown significantly over the decades, thanks partly to the unwavering support from the Omaha World-Herald’s readers, who have consistently contributed to its fundraising efforts.
In 2020, United Way of the Midlands joined forces with the Omaha World-Herald to expand Goodfellows’ reach and effectiveness. This partnership has allowed Goodfellows to provide even more robust support to those facing hardship, leveraging United Way’s resources and expertise to address pressing community needs better. Today, Goodfellows stands as a testament to the power of community-driven philanthropy, continuing its legacy of helping Omaha’s most vulnerable residents with dignity and compassion.
Our Impact
58% for utilities aid
42% for housing support
Purchased
which provided a monthly supplement to 1,100 children
More than
for local families in need
Shoes, coats and clothing for more than
at 76 schools
A TRADITION OF GIVING BACK
For generations, Goodfellows has been a trusted way for our community to come together and help families through rough times — keeping people in their homes, putting meals on the table and meeting basic needs in times of crisis.
Join us in continuing this proud tradition of giving back. Your suppoprt helps keep families stable, connected and cared for all year long.
Donor and Recipient Stories
Discover how your generosity, alongside other compassionate donors, changes lives daily.
Florist, laundromat, pantry, clinic: Heart Ministry Center gives ‘that next step in life’
United Way’s 211 Helpline provides housing and utility assistance with help from Goodfellows
Omaha’s Goodfellows helps nurse’s aide who’s battling cancer
Omaha Santa donates $11K to Goodfellows to buy toys for kids
Omaha dentist, Goodfellows donor finds joy in helping others
Omaha Goodfellows donor honors pets, family, year after year
Omaha family marks milestones with Goodfellows contributions
Goodfellows Community Partners
Working together to connect families to emergency assistance and holiday food vouchers.
Goodfellows in the News:
After raising more than $500K last year, Goodfellows is back at it for another Omaha-area campaign
Fratina McCraney has an up-close look at how a Goodfellows donation can be the difference between someone living out of their car and having a safe place to call home.
Omaha firm has legacy of donating to Goodfellows
Swartzbaugh-Farber and Associates has supported the charity since 1993
Goodfellows partnership helps more Sarpy families
A partnership with Goodfellows will help the Easter Nebraska Community Action Partnership say “yes” to more Sarpy County families in need this holiday season.
STAY CONNECTED AND MAKE AN IMPACT!
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