‘Going to see it more’: Lincoln nonprofit expects increase in need for food

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN)  — Matt Talbot Kitchen and Outreach said they’re already seeing a big increase in people walking through their doors.

And they expect that number to climb even higher this winter.

“At times we peaked up to 220 individuals that came up per meal,” said Director of Hunger and Volunteerism, Victoria O’Neil.

That’s about double they’re used to and the line is growing longer.

Staff said they’ve been serving a surge of meals in recent weeks, far above what they normally expect.

“Not everyone’s benefits, SNAP benefits and WIC, can cover for an entire month of food for their families,” O’Neil said.

The organization serves two meals per day, lunch and dinner.

In the last week of August, Matt Talbot served more than 2,400 meals, which is a 13% increase from recent years.

“In previous years Matt Talbot was able to provide second meals, so individuals that came in and dined with us, they could eat a meal and go back in line again and have seconds,” O’Neil said. “But because of the large increase we’ve had, we’ve had to stop that.”

She said with federal funding cuts and benefits being effected, more people can be expected to come in.

“Federal cuts and things like that are happening to certain programs, eventually, it’s going to trickle on down and we’re going to see it more and more,” O’Neil said.

The organization offers more than food. They provide showers, housing assistance and a safe place for people to turn when resources run short.

And as more people come in, the mission at Matt Talbot stays the same — to provide hope and hospitality for anyone who needs it.

“It isn’t just someone who is unsheltered,” she said, “We’re talking about hardworking individuals that go to work every day and unfortunately at the end of the month, they’re running out of money to feed their families.”