Bold Hope at Matt Talbot
Located on North 27th Street, Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach is a hunger relief and outreach center for individuals and families experiencing homelessness or near homelessness. The mission of Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach is to relieve hunger, overcome homelessness, address addiction, and provide outreach and advocacy. Last year Matt Talbot provided over 250,000 meals and 50,000 homeless prevention services such as housing, drug & alcohol evaluations, life skills classes, and help with obtaining vital identification documents. Last year, the number of on-site meals provided to community members increased by 39%, serving an average of 245 meals daily. There were 3,350 unduplicated clients served last year, a 21% increase from the previous year.
Everyone is welcome to walk through our open doors and get a prepared nutritious meal two times a day, every day of the year. While at the facility for a meal, guests can learn about other outreach and homeless prevention services available at Matt Talbot such as housing, case management, tenant education classes, assistance with acquiring vital identification documents, substance use services, street outreach, shower and laundry services, and assistance with basic and emergency needs. This comprehensive programming works to connect guests to resources that take care of the whole person – providing beyond basic needs to embolden people to have hope.
Nutrition
Matt Talbot works to provide high-quality nutritious foods to guests. A new initiative this year called the Freshen Your Plate Project will advance health equity in Lincoln by increasing access to healthy food, specifically fresh fruits and vegetables, among individuals and families experiencing homelessness or who are on the edge of homelessness. A paid student intern will work with kitchen staff and volunteer hunger relief teams to ensure every meal served at Matt Talbot includes a serving of at least one fresh fruit or vegetable. This project will also include volunteer education, menu planning support, resource development, and garden-to-table integration (working with local growers as well as maintaining and harvesting our on-site garden which has over 100 vegetable plants).
Other efforts to elevate the nutrition of our guests are ongoing and include nutrition classes for guests and volunteers, taught by an educator from UNL Extension who also writes a monthly newsletter article. In addition, we are opening a choice pantry this month where guests can shop and select fresh and healthy donated foods from local grocery stores, restaurants, and gardens.
Volunteers Needed - Huskers Helping the Homeless Event
September is Hunger Action Month and Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach is huddled up and planning for the best defense against hunger and homelessness during the 28th annual Huskers Helping the Homeless event scheduled for September 19-21.
Matt Talbot is helping more guests every year and the needs are growing. To meet these needs, a critical part of Matt Talbot’s game plan is to put together a strong roster of Huskers Helping the Homeless volunteers. All ages are needed to suit up and get in the game! Volunteer opportunities to accept monetary donations on behalf of Matt Talbot are available in 1.5-hour time slots before the Husker football game on Friday, September 20th, or at grocery stores throughout Lincoln from September 19 – 21. Other volunteer opportunities include holding online fundraisers or taking up collections at pre-game or tailgate parties. Volunteers are game changers for Matt Talbot guests and the Lincoln community. Sign up at mtko.org.
“The money raised during this event supports our operations 365 days a year and brings us closer to our vision of defeating hunger and homelessness in Lincoln,” said Alynn Sampson, executive director. “Football puns aside, this event truly feels like a community-wide team effort and we are grateful for the support.”
Please contact Victoria O’Neil, Director of Hunger Relief & Volunteerism, at 402-817-0623 or victoria.oneil@mtko.org with questions.
