OMAHA — An annual public display of holiday lights will illuminate parts of Nebraska’s most populated city starting Nov. 29.

Running concurrently is the “Shine the Light on Hunger” campaign that this year set a goal of providing 6 million meals for the Food Bank for the Heartland.

While the Holiday Lights Festival and hunger-relief drive combo is a longtime tradition, this year’s activities come as the food bank, which serves 93 counties, faces “one of the most volatile times” in its history, says Brian Barks, president and CEO.

“Even before the government shutdown and the pause in SNAP benefits, we were already seeing the highest levels of food insecurity our service area has ever experienced,” he said. “These disruptions have only deepened the strain, pushing the food bank and our pan

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