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 nearly 250,000 meals through on-site meals and food distributed through the Fresh Choice Pantry – a 59% increase over the past five years. An average of 250 onsite meals are provided every day, with staff assisting over 3,000 individuals annually through more than 55,000 outreach and homeless prevention services.

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 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. An initiative called Freshen Your Plate is advancing 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. Through this project, supported through a grant from the Community Health Endowment, a paid student intern works 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 also includes 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 70 vegetable plants).

The Fresh Choice Pantry is open 4 days a week and resembles a small grocery store. Community members can select food items that meet their needs at no cost. The pantry is located at Matt Talbot and contains refrigerated items such as meat, produce, and dairy products, as well as canned and boxed food items.

Huskers Helping the Homeless

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 29th annual Huskers Helping the Homeless event scheduled for September 18-20. This event raises awareness and funds for Matt Talbot’s year-round hunger relief and homeless prevention services.

Volunteers are needed on Saturday, September 20, before the Nebraska vs. Michigan football game, to collect donations in downtown Lincoln. Shifts are also available at grocery stores on September 18 – 20.  

• Shifts are just 1.5 hours long
• Multiple locations available throughout the city
• Perfect for individuals, families, or groups (tailgate teams welcome!)
• Volunteers receive a donation bucket, signage, and a commemorative t-shirt

Huskers Helping the Homeless will be headquartered at Tower Square on September 20th, offering free activities for all ages, such as yard games, cookie decorating, and face painting.

Please contact Victoria O’Neil, Director of Hunger Relief & Volunteerism, at 402-817-0623 or victoria.oneil@mtko.org with questions and Go Big Red!