We heard from Leanne Pelser and Liz Weidner of Matt Talbot Kitchen and Outreach about Nano Financing on April 11, 2025.
Lincoln South Rotary Club Member Suchitra Pattnaik introduced the program - the Mat Talbot Kitchen and Outreach partnership with Our Biswas.
She reminded us that we provided financial support for the programs of Our Biswas which translates to trust and faith in our community and empowering women.
Through Our Biswas nano-finance program, individuals can get small, short-term loans. The loan beneficiaries gain confidence in their ability to survive and thrive and take pride in paying back the loans thus making money available to other people. They get a feeling of fulfillment knowing that they are helping others.
As Suchitra was seeing the success of the program in India and South Africa, she wondered about bringing it to the United States and has been working with Matt Talbot Kitchen and Outreach to make that happen.
Leanne, the Director of Housing and Outreach Programs at Matt Talbot provided some background on Matt Talbot Kitchen and Outreach (MTKO).
The vision is: Defeat hunger and homelessness. Restore hope!
And their mission is: To relieve hunger, overcome homelessness, address addiction, and provide outreach and advocacy in Lincoln.
The pillars of service at MTKO are:
- Relieving Hunger - they are open 5 days a week serving lunch and dinner. There are associates from other organizations there to help with other needs such as applying for SNAP benefits. They focus on nutrition, not only in the foods that they serve, but by providing nutrition classes to help others learn how to prepare nutritious meals.
- Overcoming Homelessness - through outreach they identify homeless individuals and can find out how they can help; through a variety of housing programs that include HUD, Rent Assistance and Transitional Housing they can help reduce homelessness.
- Addressing Addiction - they provide Alcohol & Drug Education Classes, Substance Use Evaluations & Counseling, Pre-Treatment Groups and Weekly AA meetings to help those who struggle with substance use and addiction.
- Proving Outreach - they have an extensive program to connect individuals with basic, emergency and health needs
They are open 5 days a week and provide 2 meals during that time. Homeless visitors can also take a shower and wash clothes while there. Guests are able to use MTKO as their mailing address and use the organization's courtesy phone and message board for communication. Caseworkers are generally available to help connect the clients with any other needs.
Liz, Outreach Diversion case manager took the podium to share information about MTKO's partnership with Our Biswas which was formed in July 2023 when Our Biswas provided a $10,000 grant to MTKO.
She pointed out the important features
- Offers an alternative to predatory loans - there is no interest and no credit check
- Helps women and families manage unexpected and urgent expenses - help with items they may not have budgeted for
- Builds financial empowerment and stability - will not loan more than they can pay off
- Loans capped at $500 to prevent debt cycles - want them to be successful; the average amount spent per household has been $250
The microloan program was officially launched by MTKO in October of 2023 - they have helped 38 households since the start of the program.
Liz stated that the clients are so grateful for the program - not only for what it has done for them, but that they have the opportunity to help others as they pay off their loan.
The program model promotes responsible borrowing and long-term sustainability:
- One loan per household at a time
- Must repay the current loan to get a new one
- Funds from the program go back into the program
This is not a hand out - but a hand up. Everyone wants to help others and this gives them a feeling of fulfillment - rather than only getting help they are giving help. As they repay their loans, the funds become available to others.
The program can provide support in areas not available elsewhere. Liz listed some of the areas where they have provided help:
| Housing | Vehicle | Other |
| Security Deposit | Car Payment | Living Expenses |
| Rent Payment | Car Registration | Phone |
| Application Fee | Car Insurance | Credit Card |
| Utility Payment | Car Plates | Pet Medication |
| Hotel Stay | Work Clothes |
Client testimonials:
Christine: "Having the loan when I needed it, and being able to pay it back gradually—it helped more than I can explain. Even though I have lost my family, I come here feeling like I am walking into family. This is one place I love more than anywhere else."
Sheri (became homeless, needed surgery and time to recover): “I’m so thankful - this program really changed my life and my children’s. I had no other option and no one to turn to. Without the loan, I would’ve had to postpone my surgery. Those two nights in the hotel brought us so much peace.”
Moving forward, MTKO believes the program is impactful and empowering. To ensure sustainability they are slowing the pace of new loans which will reserve funds for individuals who wish to reapply.
BIOS
Leanne Pelser
Leanne Pelser currently serves as the Director of Housing and Outreach Programs at Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach which is a local nonprofit working to end hunger and homelessness. She has been in this position since August 2022 following a career of working on both coasts of the United States in housing and homeless services.
Leanne Pelser currently serves as the Director of Housing and Outreach Programs at Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach which is a local nonprofit working to end hunger and homelessness. She has been in this position since August 2022 following a career of working on both coasts of the United States in housing and homeless services.
Leanne has been working in the nonprofit sector for nearly 18 years. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Wheelock College of Boston, MA. Leanne has worked in Boston MA, San Diego, CA and Norfolk VA helping those who are struggling with a housing crisis. She is a strong advocate for individuals and families experiencing homelessness and basic needs crises.
Leanne lives in Lincoln with her husband Kevin and two children, Hayden and Dakota.
Liz Weidner
Liz Weidner serves as the Outreach Diversion case manager at Matt Talbot Kitchen and Outreach. She has been in this position since October 2023. She has worked in the area of housing and homelessness for several years and has worked in nonprofit and government sectors in Nebraska and New Mexico.
She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Kearney and a law degree from University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she worked with clients facing eviction as part of the Tenant Assistance Project.
She enjoys assisting clients in accomplishing their goals. She has a senior rescue dog named Ben.