A cold Nebraska winter can be difficult enough, but when you don't know where your next meal will come from, the circumstances can feel overwhelming. For thousands of Lincoln neighbors facing hunger, The Gathering Place offers a warm meal, a welcoming face, and a space to come in from the cold every night from five to six o’clock. Thanks to caring people like you, who support The Gathering Place, that welcome continues every evening.
The Bigger Table
In the past twelve months, The Gathering Place served a record-breaking 57,578 free meals, a number that reflects the growing need for food assistance across Lincoln. With more people coming through its doors each evening, the new facility at 919 South 12th Street will make a big difference. Just three blocks from its current location, the new home will offer nearly twice the space, including a commercial kitchen, additional food storage, and room to serve 300 meals each night.
Construction is Underway
Since the groundbreaking celebration in August, activity is ramping up at 919 South 12th Street. Construction teams are preparing the building as the project moves into the early stages of renovation. Each step brings The Gathering Place closer to opening its doors to more Lincoln neighbors. And with your support, this new home can become a reality, offering more people a hot meal, a friendly face, and a seat at the table.
Kindness Fills the Table
This time of year reminds us how much it matters to have a place where you feel cared for. By supporting The Gathering Place's campaign, Let's Build a Bigger Table, you can help create a new home where more Lincoln neighbors can count on a good meal, friendship, and a place to belong, no matter the season.
The Volunteer Perspective
Some stories are best told by those who have experienced them firsthand, and at The Gathering Place, volunteers have plenty to share. We spoke with two of those volunteers: Tom Rathe, Account Executive at Lincoln Electric System, and Jill Smith, Associate Vice President Community Outreach at Union Bank & Trust, about what first brought them to The Gathering Place and what keeps them coming back. Both first became involved through their employers' volunteer programs, but what they've experienced around the table has given them a new perspective.
“The Gathering Place is where neighbors help neighbors. There is far more need than government can address on its own. The majority of the dollars you provide to support The Gathering Place put food on the table. Period.”
“The Gathering Place is a place where people facing difficult circumstances can find friendship, community, dignity, and a sense of belonging. When so much else in life may feel uncertain, that reliability can make a meaningful difference.”
Give Through a Fund
You can help build a bigger table through a gift from a donor-advised fund (DAF). If you have an established DAF, simply recommend a grant to support The Gathering Place's campaign, Let's Build a Bigger Table.
Donors can also give to the Gathering Together Fund, a board-designated fund established to provide long-term support for The Gathering Place.
Gifts may be spread out over three years. Giving requirements vary. Please talk with your financial or tax advisor about what may be appropriate for you.
Fundraising Goal: $5.5 Million
