Lincoln nonprofit, We Can Do This, hosts second fundraiser to help feed kids in need

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A local nonprofit is bringing the community together to help feed children in need across Nebraska.

Inside Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill in the Haymarket, many people came ready to bid at the second annual fundraiser held by nonprofit We Can Do This.

From Husker football tickets to a team-signed Husker volleyball, the silent auction drew a lot of attention.

But the mission behind it is the real prize.

“I think in a community like Lincoln, we assume there’s not a lot of food insecurity, but there’s actually a lot of children who go hungry on the weekend when they don’t have access to free and reduced lunch at school,” said Katie Koepke, the president of the nonprofit. “So our mission is to make sure kids are not going hungry on the weekend, that we can provide them at least one meal per day to get them through the weekend and help fill their bellies.”

The organization partnered with other organizations across Lincoln to further their mission and make sure no child goes hungry.

“We asked many businesses downtown, our friends who own businesses, places we frequent, and people we don’t even know,” Koepke said. “Just asked if anyone had any donations or cool items that we could put into auction, see what we could raise, and the community really showed up.”

And while the prizes may go home with a few lucky bidders, the impact of the fundraiser will stretch far beyond the event walls.

“One of the biggest things we’re looking for today is really to expand our community outreach,” Koepke said. “We want people to get to know that we’re here, and what we’re doing. Of course raising money at one fundraiser is amazing, but what we really need is the communities support long-term.”