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The 2011 Goodfellows fund drive provided holiday meals to nearly 5,000 families and their children, and raised more than $500,000 to help families in crisis year round.

Because of you, Goodfellows is able to provide holiday meals, clothing and emergency assistance to those less fortunate, year round.

CLICK HERE or mail your donations to:

World-Herald Goodfellows Charities, Inc.
1314 Douglas Street
Suite 125
Omaha, NE 68102
goodfellows@owh.com

To contact Goodfellows, call (402) 444-1388.

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Goodfellows' emergency fund is designed to assist people with one-time, urgent needs that cannot be met through other sources. Goodfellows works with four agencies that screen applicants for the emergency assistance program.

To apply for assistance, please call:

Catholic Charities (South Omaha residents), (402) 731-5413

Heartland Family Service (Sarpy County), (402) 291-6065

Heartland Family Service (Douglas County), (402) 457-7792

ENCAP (Eastern Nebraska Community Action Partnership - Douglas County):
(402) 453-5656 x200 ENCAP (South Omaha) (402) 595-1122 ENCAP (Sarpy Co.) (402) 292-2961

United Way, 2-1-1 or (402) 444-6666

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The Omaha World-Herald's charitable involvement dates back to the 1890s, when the generosity of readers helped area farmers overcome bad crops and widespread unemployment. The "Tow Line," as it was known, became a symbol the newspaper used to stir public opinion and build support for a charity or an issue.

In 1910, The World-Herald renamed its charity Goodfellows. The program began as an effort to match 750 needy children with families who promised to provide them with a decent Christmas. In 1945, World-Herald Goodfellows Charities, Inc. was chartered as a nonprofit charitable corporation.

Today, the charity provides assistance to thousands of families each year. Goodfellows has raised and distributed nearly $10 million since 1945. With The World-Herald paying all administrative costs, every dollar donated to Goodfellows goes directly to disadvantaged families.

Goodfellows assistance is diverse. First, year-round emergency funds are available to families with one-time urgent needs that cannot be met by any other public or private assistance. This is done in partnership with the United Way of the Midlands, Heartland Family Services, Catholic Charities and ENCAP. Second, holiday meals are provided to nearly 5,000 families and their children referred by area social service agencies. Lastly, in partnership with Holy Family Door Ministry and Omaha Public Schools' Project Help program, Goodfellows provides funds for clothing shoes and coats for thousands of underprivileged children.