An Update on the Witness to HOPE Campaign.
January 2010
Last year Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach (MTKO) had to move forward with a $1.6 million capital campaign to fund a new facility on North 27th Street. The total project cost is approximately $2.1 million but partial funding from the City and through MTKO's operating reserves had been allocated to this project prior to the launch of the capital campaign in April of 2009.
Background on the Project
Along with the need for additional space, in 2008 MTKO learned plans were in motion to begin development of the Antelope Valley Project, which encompasses the site occupied by MTKO. In 2009 Assurity Life Insurance Company purchased the building MTKO leased space in at 19th and R Streets, which is on the site of Assurity's planned new headquarters. Assurity took ownership of MTKO's current location at 19th and R Streets in April of 2009 and will provide free rent until April 1, 2010, while the new MTKO site is prepared. MTKO must be relocated to its new facility at 2121 North 27th Street and be ready to begin offering services immediately after the move. The organization must be out of the current site by March 31, 2010.
For plans to take shape a Feasibility Study and Space Needs Analysis were conducted by Matt Talbot. In addition a site selection committee was formed. MTKO's leaders looked at nearly 20 other locations before deciding to pursue the site on North 27th Street formerly occupied by NeighborWorks. NeighborWorks moved its headquarters to 23rd and P Streets in the Antelope Valley redevelopment area and plans to build in the area later this year.
In February of last year the Lincoln City Council approved a plan to redevelop the city-owned property approving approximately $400,000 in Tax Increment Financing. Senator Mike Johanns and Stephanie Johanns are serving as honorary chairs of the "Witness to HOPE" capital campaign, and MTKO board members Tony Ojeda and Pat Lundak serve as campaign co-chairs.
"We are so thankful the City of Lincoln has supported our plan to move Matt Talbot's hunger relief and outreach services to the site on North 27th Street," said MTKO Executive Director Susanne Blue. "Now, we need help from the citizens of Lincoln to fund our new building."
The new facility at 2121 North 27th Street will not only allow MTKO to continue its current operations, but also expand its programs to serve its growing population. The current 3,500-square-foot facility at 19th and R Streets, where MTKO offers meals, homeless prevention and outreach programs, has operated well beyond its capacity over the past few years. Also, all of MTKO's services are offered in the same space, limiting activities and privacy for guests, clients, volunteers and staff members.
The planned new facility on North 27th Street will offer:
-An expanded kitchen with a walk-in cooler, a large freezer and storage space (donations frequently have to be turned away for lack of space)
-Adequate private space for counseling and health services
- A secure place to hold belongings of MTKO volunteers
-Appropriate office space for staff members
- Space for onsite meetings and training
-Convenient and adequate parking for clients, volunteers and staff
-Showers and laundry space for homeless individuals
-A community garden project
- A child care area for outreach programs
-Historic Preservation
-Green Building Initiatives
"Matt Talbot Kitchen and Outreach is a community leader in providing services to the City's homeless and working poor," said Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler. "This new facility will give the agency and its many volunteers the room they need to carry out their important work. The City is proud to be a partner in this project."
In addition to the above mentioned enhancements, Matt Talbot will be adding to its environmental initiatives. MTKO already has extensive recycling efforts and supports community gardening but the new facility will also incorporate some green design elements and is investing in a geothermal heating and cooling system to bring down utility costs and to be environmentally proactive.
Furthermore by occupying the historic Carnegie Library building MTKO is agreeing to preserve this community treasure. "The preservation of the historic Carnegie Library is a priority for Matt Talbot and the space will be used for offices that support the administrative functions of our team", states Susanne Blue.
The "Witness to HOPE" campaign, has been seeking funds from individuals, businesses and foundations. A ground breaking ceremony was held in July of this past year. It was well attended by a diverse representation of the community and is evidence of the broad community support for Matt Talbot.
Impact and Outcomes
The fruits of the $1.6 million "Witness to HOPE" campaign will impact the entire Lincoln community. Because of this campaign, more hungry children and families will have food, more people will have access to outreach and prevention services, and more citizens will be empowered to become self-sufficient.
Our leadership acknowledges that "it is a difficult time to relocate for a small nonprofit like Matt Talbot, but there was no choice. We had to find a new site; we took a very detailed and planned approach and came up with the best and most affordable option available to us at the time. And we had a very short time frame in which to do this. In less than a year we have had to not only raise the needed funds but also construct the facility to meet the March 31st deadline. It has been an extremely challenging time in that in addition to the capital campaign we also surpassed request for services in all program areas in 2009" said Blue.
In spite of the challenges, Matt Talbot has been very gratified by the outpouring of support from local businesses, foundations and individuals. Unfortunately, we are still short of the needed funds and ask that you please continue to support Matt Talbot's Witness to HOPE campaign. As of January 2010 we are close to having raised $1.2 Million towards our $1.6 Million goal. We hope and pray for broad community support so that we avoid taking on further debt which would be a significant hardship for our organization.
Keep HOPE Alive!
Come back from time to time to learn of our progress on the Witness to HOPE campaign.
Please also take 30 seconds to view Senator Mike Johanns and Stephanie Johanns comment on the campaign.
For more information about the campaign or the move, please contact Susanne Blue at MTKO, at 402-477-4116 or susannemtk@windstream.net.
- Witness to HOPE Update with Susanne Blue, Executive Director, Courtesy KLKN
- A message from Tony Ojeda, President, MTKO Board of Directors Courtesy KOLN KGIN
- NEW Witness to HOPE PSA
- Witness to HOPE video message
- Witness to HOPE Case Statement
- Witness to HOPE Case Statement Brochure
- Witness to HOPE Donation Form
- Witness to HOPE Letter of Intent
- Witness to HOPE Naming Opportunities
- Witness to HOPE Wall of Compassion
- Donate to Witness to HOPE Now!
- Witness to HOPE Billboard Poster
- Images of new Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach facility
Groundbreaking Event - July 15, 2009
Over 100 supporters of Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach were on hand to help community officials break ground at Lincoln's new kitchen and outreach facility.
Progress is being made at the new location!
September 28, 2009
- December 2, 2009
