Volunteers are the backbone of Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach. Whether it is purchasing ingredients, preparing food, serving a meal, helping at the reception desk, working in the garden, or hosting a donation drive or special event-- we appreciate your investment of time and resources and want to assist you in any way we can. Here are the latest updates:

Hunger Relief Daily Report Forms

It is absolutely essential for all volunteers to complete the Hunger Relief Daily Report form thoroughly. This information is not only crucial for our internal records, but also vital for our reporting obligations to the USDA. Incomplete sections can jeopardize our ability to meet these requirements. Your cooperation in this matter is not just appreciated—it's essential for the success of our mission. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our mission. We are endlessly thankful for our volunteers!

Fresh Produce

As part of our Freshen Your Plate initiative, Matt Talbot is committed to incorporating fresh produce into every meal served. While individuals experiencing homelessness are often reliant on canned goods that require no refrigeration, we aim to provide a different experience at Matt Talbot—one that offers a comforting, "home-cooked" meal to help our guests escape the daily hardships they face.

Though it might sound cliché, the phrase "you are what you eat" truly resonates with us. We want our guests to feel fresh, not canned or frozen. While we are fortunate to receive some fresh produce from the Food Bank of Lincoln, many other organizations are seeking the same supplies, often limiting us to canned goods. This is why the role of our volunteer teams is so vital in helping us fulfill our mission.

With funding from the Community Health Endowment and the support of our guests, the Freshen Your Plate Initiative requires each meal served at Matt Talbot to include fresh fruits or vegetables - or both! To help us fulfill this requirement, we ask that volunteer teams include these fresh items in their meal plan and communicate their ability to provide a fresh item in advance so we can plan accordingly. Canned goods are still accepted donations, but we now reserve them for the Choice Pantry or for food donations through our Outreach team.

If you need ideas on how to incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables into meals without breaking the budget, please feel free to reach out to our Nutrition Intern, Ben, or our Director of Hunger Relief and Volunteerism, Victoria.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to this important cause!

Open Volunteer Positions

We are looking for volunteers to fill the following positions:

• Laundry/Shower Volunteer: Wednesdays from 12:30 PM until the last shower, typically around 4:30/5:00 PM
• Reception Volunteers: We are in need of volunteers to fill in as reception coverage when our main receptionist is unavailable. Volunteers may be called in advance or on short notice (morning of).

2025 Hunger Relief Calendar Team Sign-ups

It’s time for us to start scheduling teams for the 2025 Hunger Relief Calendar! If you’re interested in forming a new team, we have various options available. Please contact Victoria at 402-817-0623 or victoria.oneil@mtko.org for more information.

Important Notice

It is absolutely essential for all volunteers to complete the Hunger Relief Daily Report form thoroughly. The highlighted sections to the right are of utmost importance and must be filled out in detail. This information is not only crucial for our internal records but also vital for our reporting obligations to the USDA. Incomplete sections can jeopardize our ability to meet these requirements. Your cooperation in this matter is not just appreciated—it's essential for the success of our mission. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our mission. We are endlessly thankful for our volunteers!