NeighborGood Announces Future Home in Papillion

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release December 18th, 2024 

NeighborGood Announces Future Home in Papillion

NeighborGood is proud to announce it has entered into a formal agreement to purchase land and a 9,100-square-foot building at 1712 Charleston Drive, in Papillion. This new location will serve as the future home for NeighborGood’s operations, strengthening the ability to provide nutritious food, increase self-sufficiency, and inspire hope among our neighbors in need. 

Expected to close at the end of December, this purchase positions NeighborGood to better serve residents across Sarpy County and Ralston. “We plan to be moved and open in this new facility by spring of 2025 and we look forward to providing a grocery-style experience, allowing neighbors to choose the foods they want and will use”, said Melissa Nelson, NeighborGood Executive Director. “Food insecurity is an increasing challenge in Sarpy County and Ralston, and this new facility will enable us to help more people.”

Since its inception 15 years ago, NeighborGood (formerly Tri-City Food Pantry) has played a crucial role in addressing food insecurity, serving hundreds of families each month. In 2020, about 5.6% of Sarpy County residents lived below the federal poverty level, and 10.9% were food insecure, a common metric to measure poverty status.

Soaring inflation, living expenses, and food prices have compounded the situation. NeighborGood has seen an average 38% increase annually in guests needing services since 2021 and we anticipate this demand will only continue to grow.  

With the purchase of this building, NeighborGood will continue to work toward its vision of creating a community free of hunger and food insecurity more quickly and efficiently than previously planned. The new facility, opening in spring 2025, will provide:

• A highly visible, centrally located, client-friendly, easy to access facility

• Retail-style space for guest selection of food, household and hygiene items

• Expanded on-site storage with additional room for receiving, sorting and distributing

• Energy efficient commercial cold storage to enable the organization to receive and distribute fresh produce, protein, and dairy

• Private consultation area for connecting guests to community resources

• Sarpy County Human Services Offices 

• Executive boardroom and central meeting space for staff, volunteers, and guest education programs and clinics

The purchase of this building will replace any efforts of the Pantry to build on land acquired from the City of Papillion near the current location. 

“This facility acquisition will enable the Pantry to have an outstanding operating facility two years quicker and at half the cost of constructing a new building”, said Bill Conley, NeighborGood Treasurer. “We are excited with the opportunities this new facility will provide to better serve more people in need.”  

The fundraising to purchase the building, complete renovations, and stock the shelves, is still underway.  NeighborGood has raised $983,803 toward our campaign goal of $3.7M.  Financial support, whether through monetary donations, sponsorships, or grants, will make a tangible difference in the lives of those struggling with food insecurity, ensuring that they have access to nutritious meals and vital support services.

About NeighborGood
NeighborGood Community Pantry is a 501(c)3 nonprofit serving all of Sarpy County and the City of Ralston with the mission of eliminating hunger in our community by providing neighbors in need with nutritious food, increased self-sufficiency, and hope.

CONTACT
Melisa Nelson, Executive Director
NeighborGood Community Pantry