Sometimes the biggest difference in a family's life comes from something surprisingly simple.
A new pair of shoes for the first day of school. A warm winter coat. A bed to sleep in. Groceries for a holiday meal.
For families experiencing financial hardship, these everyday necessities can become significant challenges. And in Bellevue, Nebraska, a group of dedicated volunteers is working to make sure families don't have to face those challenges alone.
Meet Bellevue Together, an all volunteer nonprofit bringing schools, businesses, churches, and neighbors together to support families throughout the Bellevue Public Schools community.
As the holiday season approaches, their work is especially worth highlighting.
What Is Bellevue Together?
Bellevue Together is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created to address unmet needs among students and families in Bellevue Public Schools.
The organization works directly with school counselors and social workers who identify families who could benefit from additional support.
That partnership is important. Rather than simply distributing donations, Bellevue Together connects with families through people who already understand their circumstances.
Volunteers from local churches, businesses, civic organizations, and the community help collect donations, organize supplies, and distribute necessities throughout the year.
It's a community driven approach built on a straightforward idea: when people work together, they can make life a little easier for their neighbors.
More Than School Supplies: How Bellevue Together Helps Families
While education is central to its mission, Bellevue Together recognizes that a student's needs extend far beyond the classroom.
Its programs address some of the everyday challenges that can affect a family's stability and a child's ability to thrive.
Back to School Support
Every summer, Bellevue Together organizes a back to school event where referred students can select clothing, shoes, backpacks, and school supplies.
For the 2026 school year, the organization helped 144 families and 376 students prepare for the classroom.
The event offers more than supplies. It gives children the opportunity to begin the school year with essentials they need and the confidence that comes with feeling prepared.
Winter Coats and Clothing
Nebraska winters can be unforgiving, especially for families struggling to afford seasonal clothing.
Bellevue Together collects and distributes coats, hats, gloves, and other winter essentials.
During its 2025 coat event, the organization supported 95 families and 251 students.
Thanksgiving Assistance
For many families, the holidays bring additional financial pressure.
Bellevue Together's Thanksgiving program helps families enjoy a holiday meal by providing boxes of groceries and other food essentials.
In 2025, its Thanksgiving efforts reached 140 families, representing 688 family members.
Christmas and Hands of Hope
The holiday season is another major focus.
Through its Hands of Hope initiative, Bellevue Together provides clothing, toys, and holiday meal items to participating families.
Its 2025 holiday program supported 190 families and 588 children.
Behind every number is a family receiving practical help during a season that can otherwise feel overwhelming.
A Storeroom That Helps Turn a House Into a Home
One of Bellevue Together's most meaningful services happens throughout the year, not just during special events.
The organization maintains a storeroom of donated furniture and household essentials for families referred through Bellevue Public Schools counselors and social workers.
Items such as beds, bedding, towels, dishes, cookware, dressers, and small kitchen tables can make an enormous difference for a family getting established or rebuilding after difficult circumstances.
A bed, a dining table, or a set of dishes might seem ordinary. But having these essentials can help create a more comfortable, stable home environment.
And the need is ongoing.
Bellevue Together currently identifies twin beds and box springs among its high priority donation needs.
Bellevue Together Is Preparing for Its Next Chapter
There's also some exciting news for the organization.
Bellevue Together has announced plans to move into a new facility.
According to the nonprofit, the move will allow it to expand its ability to serve students and families while strengthening its connections throughout the community.
An official move date and new address have not yet been announced.
For an organization that depends so heavily on volunteers, donated goods, and community partnerships, additional space could make a meaningful difference in how it organizes and distributes resources.
It's an encouraging sign of the continued investment in supporting Bellevue families.
How Can You Help Bellevue Together?
One of the best things about this organization is that there are several practical ways to get involved.
Donate Household Essentials
Bellevue Together regularly needs household items for its storeroom, including:
Bedding and bed frames
Twin beds and box springs
Pots, pans, and baking sheets
Dishes and kitchen essentials
Bath towels
Small lamps and dressers
Couches and small kitchen tables with chairs
Donated items must meet the organization's condition requirements. Bellevue Together asks that items come from smoke free and pet free homes, and it does not accept small appliances.
Contact the organization before bringing larger furniture donations.
Volunteer Your Time
Bellevue Together relies on volunteers for its seasonal programs and everyday operations.
Opportunities include sorting donations, organizing supplies, preparing for events, loading groceries, and helping with furniture and household goods.
Its Thanksgiving and Christmas programs are especially relevant as we enter November.
The organization also welcomes volunteers who can assist with setup and cleanup throughout the year.
Make a Financial Donation
Financial contributions help Bellevue Together purchase needed supplies and respond to needs that aren't covered by donated items.
Donations can be made directly through its website, including options for recurring support.
Connect Your Business or Community Group
Local businesses, churches, civic organizations, and community groups can participate by collecting supplies, providing volunteers, or supporting special events.
It's a meaningful opportunity for Bellevue area organizations to make a direct impact close to home.
How Families Receive Assistance
Bellevue Together's primary programs are designed for families referred by Bellevue Public Schools counselors and social workers.
Families do not simply register independently for its back to school, Thanksgiving, or Christmas distributions.
If a Bellevue Public Schools family needs assistance, contacting a school counselor or social worker is the appropriate starting point.
The organization also partners with Lift Up Sarpy County for certain household assistance referrals.
Why Organizations Like Bellevue Together Matter
When we talk about what makes a community a good place to live, the conversation often centers on schools, housing, parks, businesses, and amenities.
Those things matter.
But there's another side to a strong community that doesn't always show up in a real estate listing.
It's the network of people and organizations willing to help when someone needs support.
Bellevue Together is an example of that kind of community infrastructure.
Its work brings together educators, volunteers, churches, businesses, and residents around the shared goal of helping local children and families.
And in a community like Bellevue, with its longstanding neighborhoods, military connections, schools, and generations of residents, those relationships are an important part of what makes the city special.
Discovering the Communities That Make Up the Omaha Metro
At Anthology Real Estate Group, our Discover Omaha series highlights the local businesses, nonprofits, neighborhoods, and organizations that make the Omaha metro such an interesting place to call home.
Whether we're helping clients explore homes in Bellevue, Papillion, Gretna, La Vista, Springfield, Elkhorn, or Omaha, we believe there's value in understanding more than the housing market.
Every community has people working behind the scenes to make it better.
Bellevue Together is one of those organizations.
As the holidays approach, consider supporting their mission through a donation, a volunteer shift, or simply by sharing their story with someone who might want to get involved.
Sometimes making a difference starts with meeting a need right in your own neighborhood.
Learn more, donate, or volunteer: BellevueTogether.com
Bellevue Together
2231 Jefferson Street
Bellevue, Nebraska 68005
402-639-5079
The organization has announced an upcoming move, so confirm its current location before dropping off donations.
