Inside the Food Bank of Lincoln’s new facility

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Food Bank of Lincoln on Wednesday welcomed the Lincoln Young Professionals Group to an exclusive inside tour at its new facility that opened in May.

CEO Michaella Kumke said the food bank wants to engage young professionals who are leaders in the community in spreading the word of the organization’s mission.

Kumke said that with the pandemic, the food bank has seen more people interested in helping.

“We saw a lot of excitement in people,” Kumke said. “Neighbors banding together to serve other neighbors who were short on food.”

The facility is just east of the airport near Northwest 12th Street and Kingbird Road.

Kumke said this new building has helped the food bank get closer to the community. It also helps with the distribution process and accessing the 16 counties it serves.

“Not only is it important for visibility,” Kumke said, “but we are closer to major roadways, and that speeds up our drivers.”

In Nebraska, one in ten residents suffer food insecurity.

The Food Bank of Lincoln said it wants to engage with community leaders and social influencers who are interested in overcoming hunger in the state.

September is hunger action month. The food bank is sponsoring Dine Out Help Out on the 14th.

On that day, food establishments will donate at least 10% of receipts to the Food Bank of Lincoln.

The participating locations are:

(402) Creamery – all Lincoln locations

Amigos/Kings Classic – all Lincoln locations

Arby’s – all Lincoln locations

Blue Orchid –129 N. 10th St., Suite 111

Braeda Fresh Express Cafe – 4231 S. 33rd St.

Buzzard Billy’s – 247 N. 8th St., Suite 101

Casa Bovina – 4841 N. 84th St.

Culver’s – all Lincoln locations

Dairy Queen – 3835 South St.

DaVinci’s – all Lincoln locations

Engine House Cafe – 6028 Havelock Ave.

FireWorks Restaurant – 5750 S. 86th St.

Hi-Way Diner – 2105 Highway 2

Honest Abe’s – all Lincoln locations

La Paz Mexican Restaurant – 321 N. Cotner Blvd.

Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill – 210 N. 7th St. and 5900 Old Cheney Road

Mary Ellen’s – 2801 Pine Lake Road, Suite A

McKinney’s Pub – 151 N. 8th St., Suite 140

Ming’s House – 1415 N. Cotner Blvd.

Muchachos – 416 S. 11th St.

Redz BBQ – 3546 S. 48th St.

Rock-N-Joe Coffee – 5025 Lindberg St.

Runza Restaurant – all Lincoln locations

Shoemakers Travel Center – 151 SW 48th St.

Stauffer’s Cafe and Pie Shoppe – 5600 S. 48th St.

Taco Inn – 2509 N. 11th St.

The Chocolate Season – 3855 Village Lane, Suite 100

The Eatery – 2548 S. 48th St.

The Mill Coffee and Tea – all Lincoln locations

The Oven – all Lincoln locations

The Press Box – 5601 S. 56th St.

Tina’s Cafe and Catering – 616 South St.

Tipsy Tina’s Taco Cantina – 800 Q St.

Valentino’s – all Lincoln locations

Wahlburgers @ Hy-Vee – 5020 N. 27th St.