The Matt Talbot Kitchen and Outreach will soon be able to help more homeless and working poor in Lincoln.

The Outreach launched its Witness to Hope campaign with a goal of raising $1.4 million for its new building on North 27th street.

For more than 16 years, the Matt Talbot Kitchen and Outreach has been feeding the hungry and helping people in Lincoln get back on their feet.

One of those people is Lana Kemp, who says she has nowhere to live and eats meals at the Outreach regularly.

"More and more people are getting out of jobs, you know. My boyfriend and I are both out of jobs and I have a record so I have a lot of problems finding a job," said Kemp.

Volunteers at the Matt Talbot Kitchen say the number of guests lining up for food is increasing. With the ups and downs in the economy they say that's likely to continue.

"We have over 800 volunteers. We started out with about 20 so we've grown a little in the last few years," said Ruth McKinstry, a founding member of the Outreach. "It's been my volunteer passion for the last almost 17 years now."

McKinstry said although Matt Talbot is being forced to relocate for the Antelope Valley project, the new facility will allow them to help more people.

"I think the move is going to be so beneficial to the people that need it because we need more room to serve the people and to expand our outreach services."

Those services include making their guests feel good about the help they're getting.

"The staff here are really great in the sense that they make us feel like it's OK that maybe your life isn't in a place you want it to be right now. And if you want to be with friends, in a sense, you can here," said Rob Moody of Lincoln.

"We're very grateful for this place, and even when they move to 27th, we'll still be coming," said Kemp. "Because these people, they help make us make it."

The $1.4 million fund raising campaign needs to be fulfilled by spring of 2010, when the Matt Talbot kitchen and Outreach needs to relocate. Go to your homepage and click on the Hot Button to find out how to donate.