Matt Talbot’s housing programs use evidence-based best practices to secure safe and stable housing for people experiencing homelessness. Last year, we housed over 100 people and prevented many others from entering homelessness through our homeless diversion program.
Finding solutions to homelessness is not only compassionate, it makes economic sense. It costs taxpayers about $36,000 per year to provide emergency health services for one person experiencing chronic homelessness, compared to $13,000 for one year of supportive housing.
A new initiative to house 20 additional people annually will be guided by the principles of rapid rehousing, a housing model designed to help people quickly exit homelessness and return to permanent housing by providing short-term rental assistance and supportive services. Because this initiative is not funded through government sources, we will have the flexibility to provide the needed level of assistance on a case-by-case basis. Eligible guests currently enrolled in Matt Talbot programs will be prioritized in order to build on existing rapport and foster more successful long-term outcomes.
Current unfunded annual housing costs = $708,850
Cost to house an additional 20 individuals annually for 3 years = $447,500
TOTAL HOUSING INVESTMENT = $1,156,350
Dear Friends,
No matter our background, zip code, or income, we all need nutritious food and a safe place to sleep. But right now in our community, 1 in 10 people is food insecure and more than 500 individuals are experiencing homelessness. These are complex problems that require multiple solutions. And with increased resources, we know we can do more to help.
Hope Lives Here is a 3-year $2.5 million campaign to strengthen and sustain Matt Talbot’s hunger relief and housing programs. Campaign goals are to:
Maintain current hunger relief and homeless prevention efforts;
Implement a new model of meal service where Matt Talbot, rather than volunteers, covers the cost of meals served;
Ensure the Fresh Choice Pantry is consistently stocked with fresh and healthy items;
House 20 additional people annually; and
Build the endowment so that Matt Talbot is here to boldly serve the community as long we are needed.
As Lincoln’s only community kitchen and outreach center with prevention services on site, Matt Talbot is uniquely positioned to assist community members who struggle with hunger and homelessness. Your support will help us make an even bigger impact.
This is a partnership and an investment worth making. Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Alynn Sampson, MSW
Executive Director
Matt Talbot volunteers have been feeding the hungry in Lincoln for 33 years and counting. Everyone is welcome to walk through our open doors and get a prepared, hot, and nutritious meal two times a day. Guests can also visit the Fresh Choice Pantry and choose food items that best meet their needs, including refrigerated items such as meats, dairy, eggs, and produce when available. Matt Talbot provided over 250,000 meals to our community last year through on-site meals and food distributed through the Fresh Choice Pantry.
Historically, the cost of nearly every meal at Matt Talbot was covered by the volunteer team that prepared and served the meal. Unfortunately and understandably, it has become difficult for many of our volunteer teams to purchase food due to high food costs and the increasing number of guests coming for meals. This has led to a decline in the number of people willing to volunteer, despite increasing needs. We predict that next year, Matt Talbot will need to fund half of the meals. While volunteers will always be critical to this program, Matt Talbot must shift to a new model that includes funding for increased staff and food costs to ensure uninterrupted service.
Tim McEwen
Board President
SINCE 2021, the number of served meals + emergency food boxes has increased by
59%
Current unfunded annual hunger relief costs = $677,360
Open meals for 3 years = $169,690
Cost to stock Fresh Choice Pantry for 3 years = $105,091
TOTAL HUNGER RELIEF INVESTMENT = $952,141
According to the January 2026
Point-In-Time Count, there were...
594
individuals experiencing homelessness in Lincoln.
of those 594,
63
were unsheltered.
To ensure our programs are sustained and available to future generations, we have an endowment fund that is permanently invested to support the agency’s mission. These funds provide predictable and stable income regardless of unexpected economic circumstances or external volatility. Matt Talbot’s endowment is currently around $1 million, with a goal to reach $10 million.
