Blue Valley Community Action continues serving York County and southeast Nebraska

YORK – This past week, Shari Weber, CEO of Blue Valley Community Action, met with the York County Commissioners to discuss her impact report from 2025 and make the entity’s annual budget request.
“BVCA assisted 7,867 individuals by offering life-changing services which provided solutions to help build lives of stability, dignity and prosperity,” Weber said. “Poverty, unfortunately, is still prevalent. What we do – we aren’t giving a hand out, we are giving a hand up, as poverty looks different each individual.”
She said of the 6,121 individuals who were enrolled in goal-setting programs, 5,977 achieved one or more outcomes, which is a 97% success rate.
In York County alone, she said 9.1% of the population is living in poverty, including 311 children and 1,014 adults. BVCA helped 1,558 individuals in 677 households in York County during the last fiscal year. This included 722 children, 763 adults and 73 elderly individuals.
In York County, 1,000 people were assisted with emergency services; 123 individuals received utility assistance; 71 individuals received rental assistance; and 32 people were provided with rapid re-housing and/or transitional housing for homelessness.
Also in York County, 609 individuals in 246 households received 1,922 food boxes. Forty-five elderly individuals received nutritious food via CSFP. A total of 76,470 pounds of Feeding America food was distributed in York County (this is through a program with Wal-Mart).
Weber said 641 individuals residing in 171 households in York County received WIC services.
BVCA is asking for $11,000 from the county for the 2026-27 fiscal year, which is the same amount that has been provided by the county in the last four years.
She also noted how the thrift store in York is one of the largest in the BVCA footprint, crediting the work of volunteers in helping continue this and other services.
Weber acknowledged how federal grants “have been a challenge” and “we had to make some difficult decisions to save money.” She said they are pursuing other sources of revenue never pursued before.
BVCA is currently doing a community needs assessment, with everyone encouraged to participate.