To raise awareness about the increasing needs of the Lincoln community related to hunger and homelessness, Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach is hosting a walk on May 24th from the agency’s original location at 19th & R Streets to its current location on North 27th Street. The route of the walk highlights the Bold Hope Expands facility expansion campaign, the final phase of the agency’s relocation to N. 27th Street. Matt Talbot moved from its original location on 19th & R Street in 2010 when the building it was renting was sold to make way for the Antelope Valley Revitalization project.
The walk will begin at 8 am at the Assurity Life Insurance Company visitor parking lot (2000 Q Street) where participants can park for free. The 1.8-mile route will take participants a block west on R Street, north on Antelope Valley Parkway to Vine Street, east on Vine Street, and then north on N. 27th Street to the current facility located at 2121 N. 27th Street.
“The walk will highlight how our move to N. 27th Street was just a small distance, but the increased hope and services we’ve been able to provide since making that move have been significant,” said Susanne Blue, Executive Director. “We are serving more people through more programs and, unfortunately, the need is greater than ever.”
According to the most recent Point-In-Time count, the number of individuals experiencing chronic, unsheltered homelessness in Lincoln has nearly doubled in the past year. In addition, Matt Talbot has seen a 35% increase in on-site meals and a 20% increase in the number of guests served. As a result of expanding programs to meet these community needs, the agency has experienced significant growth. Bold Hope Expands will strengthen outreach efforts by building a north addition to the existing facility and a 3-stall garage to store the agency van and donated furniture, mattresses, and household items for clients. Construction is expected to be completed in July 2023. All funds raised during Give to Lincoln Day will support the facility expansion campaign.
“We are expanding Matt Talbot’s capacity to help people move out of homelessness and into stability in ways we could not have imagined when we moved to North 27th Street in 2010,” said Blue. “This campaign will change the lives of many and allow Matt Talbot to continue its work as a leading community resource for individuals and families in Lincoln struggling with poverty, homelessness, and addiction.”