Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties

Home
United States
Lincoln, NE
Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties

Call Directions Website Contact the organization

Poverty limits opportunity. We don’t.

11/04/2026

Kate Holman, Chief of Staff at NeighborWorks Lincoln, first volunteered at The Gathering Place in 2019, after joining Lincoln Rotary Club 14 and serving dinner with fellow Rotarians. Now in her third year chairing Rotary 14’s Gathering Place Committee, she coordinates 10 volunteers who serve on the fourth Wednesday and Thursday of each month.

When asked what Lincoln would be missing without The Gathering Place, Kate pointed to the 55,000 meals served each year and “a rare no-barrier door.” As she puts it, “There’s no paperwork and no judgment. You just show up and eat. As families continue to struggle to make ends meet and the loneliness epidemic affects more and more people, The Gathering Place fills a very concrete hunger gap and functions as a genuine gathering point."

Thank you, Kate, and the Rotary 14 volunteers for making our warm welcome possible.

11/03/2026

Please join us in welcoming Laura Northup, our new Human Resources Director!

Laura brings more than 20 years of HR experience, including leadership roles with Doane University, Bryan Health, and AKRS Equipment. But joining Community Action is also something of a homecoming: early in her career, Laura worked with Blue Valley Community Action.

Laura recently returned to her hometown of Lincoln after 30 years in Crete. We’re excited for the experience, perspective, and commitment to people she brings to our team.

Will you help us welcome Laura to Community Action?

10/31/2026

Happy Halloween from your friends at Community Action! 🎃

10/29/2026

Glenn Friendt’s connection to The Gathering Place began with his aunt, Betty Stevens, who was part of the founding group. When The Gathering Place shifted to neighborhood service, Betty encouraged Glenn and his family to get involved, and they soon began volunteering. Glenn is also a member of Lincoln Rotary Club 14, whose volunteer group has served The Gathering Place for as long as anyone can remember.

Across two volunteer stints spanning 20 years, Glenn has noticed more and more Lincoln residents returning to The Gathering Place. “It’s important to keep The Gathering Place viable and strong because hunger and need aren’t going away," he shares. "It’s Lincoln’s heart, soul, and compassion in action.”

We’re grateful to Glenn, Rotary 14, and everyone who continues to show up for The Gathering Place.

10/28/2026

You provide much more than a meal at the Gathering Place. It's right here in the photo. 👇 Here, guests like Awel, seen with Lisa (GP Program Administrator), find friendship, connection, stability and much more. 💙 Our Match fundraising campaign has begun! 🎉 Give today and your gift will be matched $1 for $1.👏 Our numbers are rising. Our community is hungry. You are needed. Please donate today.💖
https://www.communityactionatwork.org/help/donatenow/gathering-place-match.html

10/27/2026

Big, bittersweet news over here. 🥲

Our Human Resources Director, Pam Benner, is retiring at the end of this week. Earlier this month we surprised her with a little going away party at one of our staff meetings--and many of Pam's friends, family, and former coworkers joined!

We'll miss Pam's support and steady leadership, as well as her joy and jokes. Over the past six years at our agency, she's helped build a culture that, well, you know: makes us one of Lincoln's best places to work. 😎

Will you help us say thank you to Pam and wish her good luck on her new adventure?!

10/22/2026

We're grateful for everyone who helps make The Gathering Place what it is.

To the volunteers who give their time to prepare and serve meals, the donors who help keep our doors open, the people who drop off food and other essential items, and everyone who finds their own way to support our mission, thank you.

As we work toward building a new home for The Gathering Place, we know that we couldn't have gotten to where we are today without the entire Lincoln community helping us make more room at the table.

10/22/2026

Not to brag, but our Communications and Development Director, Jessie Hedrick, is Lincoln’s Young Citizen of the Year!

We’re so thankful for your leadership, Jessie — not only on behalf of Community Action, but Lincoln at large. We thank our lucky stars you made this community your home 🏠💫

**Additional props to our Board President, Brodey Weber (pictured right), who was Lincoln’s Young Citizen of the Year in 2024. And in case you’re wondering, yes, there is something in the water over here 😄**

10/20/2026

We’re pleased to introduce Jill Bomberger as Chief Operating Officer and Erin Mauro as Head Start Director at Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties.

Jill has led our Head Start programming for the past 10 years. She helped more than double our early childhood programs and brings that experience to supporting operations across the agency.

Erin stepped into her role this week. Our Education and Disabilities Coordinator for 12 years, Erin holds a Master of Education in Special Education with an endorsement in Unified Early Childhood Education. Her work spans center operations, educational leadership and services for children with disabilities.

Please join us in congratulating Jill and Erin!

10/20/2026

Malissa Pauling, Director of Missions at Southwood Lutheran Church , has supported The Gathering Place since 2012. She remembers one evening when a gentleman made a point to thank every volunteer and staff member for their kindness. "He had been someone who had told friends to go to The Gathering Place when they were in need in the past," she shares. "When his circumstances changed, and he found himself in need, he wanted to be sure everyone knew how much he appreciated them."

Malissa is grateful that everyone who walks through the doors feels welcomed, treated with dignity, and valued, regardless of their circumstances. "I support The Gathering Place because I don't want to find out what our community would be like without it. I believe that what happens daily at The Gathering Place makes life better for guests and the volunteers who serve there."

Thank you, Malissa, for helping make The Gathering Place a welcoming place for everyone.

Address

210 O Street
Lincoln, NE
68508

Telephone

+14024714515

Website

http://www.communityactionatwork.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.