A Place at the Table
Get to Know the Gathering Place
At the corner of 15th and E streets stands a red-brick house with a broad, welcoming porch. This time of year, it glows with warm lights in the evening, and every day from five o'clock to six o'clock, neighbors and community members facing hunger gather for a free meal. This is the Gathering Place, a program of Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties, and it’s a place where anyone is welcome—no questions asked.
Feels Like Home
The Gathering Place has operated from this historic home since its doors first opened in May of 1982. “Guests come here because of the friendly and approachable environment. When they arrive at the front steps, they are welcomed by a staff member who simply asks if they want to eat here, or get a meal to go,” says Lisa Janssen, Gathering Place Administrator.
“No one will be turned away for any reason, and we’ve found that people often want to eat on the porch and have a conversation during dinner.”
By four o'clock, an hour before the Gathering Place opens its doors, there’s typically a crowd of ten. “Everyone knows each other, and staff know guests by name, as well as those who have dietary restrictions,” says Jessie Hedrick, Communications and Development Director. “We have one guest who’s come every day since 2009.” The feeling of community is what makes guests feel comfortable enough to ask about additional support. From Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to information about tenant rights, the Gathering Place helps guests learn about the things they need.
The Right Place
More than half—56% of residents in the area—live at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. Data from Lancaster County’s Community Health Endowment indicates it’s the only census tract where life expectancy is just 55 to 60 years of age. By comparison, life expectancy for Lancaster County overall is 75 to 80 years.
“A large portion of our guests are renters in the neighborhood, and around 75% live within a mile,” says Lisa. “From single adults to multi-generational families, there’s a wide variety of people who come for a meal. We have PhD students, teens, and kids. There’s a whole
social community around our mealtime.”
In addition to food assistance, the Gathering Place is part of the City of Lincoln’s heat relief plan, often opening early on dangerously hot days to support the most vulnerable. “The Gathering Place meets people where they are,” says Lisa. “Whatever their situation might look like.”
The Growing Need
In 2024, the Gathering Place served 55,660 meals, which was a 27% increase from 2023. Nearly every plate (99%) included a fresh component, such as fruit, vegetables, or meat, helping safeguard the nutrition of guests.
The Gathering Place has a dedicated group of volunteers to help serve its growing need. “We have over 300 regular volunteers,” says Jessie. “We use four to five volunteers every night, and there’s typically a waitlist to be a volunteer. The volunteers are part of our welcoming experience, and we have a lot of service and civic groups who have dedicated volunteer time slots.”
A New Place to Gather
The future of the Gathering Place is full of possibility. In 2025, plans were set in motion to move just three blocks west of the current historic home into a larger, reimagined space. By renovating a former boarding house, Community Action will create a welcoming hub where more meals can be shared and bigger needs—like case management and expanded support—can be met.
This move means the Gathering Place will continue its tradition of hospitality while opening new doors for those who rely on it most. “We’ll nearly double the space, so we’ll be able to meet bigger needs,” says Jessie. “With community support, we anticipate breaking ground in spring 2026 and opening in fall 2027.”
Despite the expansion, the experience won’t change. “We are mirroring the welcoming environment of our original location. There will still be a large front porch, and it will still look and feel like the home our guests have come to know and love.”
Volunteer at the Gathering Place
If you’re looking for ways to help, please contact Sam Bates, Community Engagement and Partnerships Coordinator, at sbates@communityactionatwork.org.
Other Ways to Get Involved