By Marisa Dawson, Photos Courtesy of Lisa Nielsen
A new nonprofit started by Bennington resident Lisa Nielsen is working to provide meals, care packages and connections to resources for people experiencing hardship, while also creating opportunities for local families and students to get involved.
Founded in December 2025, Hope 402 has already delivered more than 1,000 meals and care bags to people experiencing homelessness in Omaha. At the same time, Nielsen hopes to grow the organization’s impact within the Bennington community through volunteer opportunities, donations and new initiatives aimed at helping local families in need.
Nielsen shared the story of her inspiration after seeing what her 17-year-old nephew was doing. After several weekends of him and his girlfriend making and delivering food to those in need, she started looking at the bigger picture. “I was super inspired by him. And I’m like, how do I make this bigger?” she added.
The idea quickly turned into action. She submitted paperwork with the Nebraska Secretary of State the same day and soon applied for federal nonprofit status. “By the end of January, I had my letter in the mail saying the IRS approved it,” she said.
Since launching, Hope 402 volunteers have been preparing and delivering meals each week to people experiencing homelessness in Omaha.
“We go out every week and we serve meals,” she said. “Since it’s been cold, we’ve been serving chili. So weekly we go out and we prepare a minimum of 100 meals.”
Along with the meals, volunteers distribute care bags filled with essential supplies “In the care bags, we try to do a pair of socks every time,” she said. “Clean, dry feet, warm feet help warm the body.” The bags also include hygiene items such as body wipes, nail clippers, hair brushes, chapstick, deodorant and feminine products, along with nonperishable snacks.
“So far we’ve served over a thousand meals,” she said. “And we do care bags… over a thousand care bags.” Many donations come from community members, including one Bennington resident who recently crocheted dozens of winter hats. “A lady last week made 75 hats in a week,” she said. “She’s from Bennington… she crocheted them herself.”
Beyond the food and supplies, the nonprofit’s outreach focuses on building relationships. “It’s not about what you’re bringing. It’s just about you being here,” Nielsen said, recalling what some people have told volunteers. One couple the team has encountered regularly illustrates that connection.
“The first week that we met them, we went to their tent, offered up some chili,” she said. “They literally unzipped it and stuck their hand out… and that was pretty much it.” Over time, the interactions grew. “The next week he poked his head out and he talked to us… then the next week they both came out and talked to us,” she said. After several months of visits, the couple told volunteers something that left a lasting impression. “Yesterday they called us their family,” Nielsen added.
The work of Hope 402 often begins right at home in Bennington. Nielsen’s husband and children frequently help prepare meals, pack supplies and assist during weekly outreach efforts, along with other local volunteers.
“My younger three… they all go to Bennington elementary, middle and high school and they come pretty much every weekend with us and are involved in it,” she said. For her, the experience is about teaching empathy and service. “Everybody has a story. Everybody has something. There’s a reason that they’re there,” she said. “And so I hope to instill those values, to not judge…”
While much of the current outreach takes place in Omaha, Nielsen hopes to expand services for Bennington residents facing food insecurity. One idea in development is a discreet pantry delivery service for families who may feel uncomfortable visiting a traditional food pantry. “The part of the pantry that I think is going to set me apart is I’m going to try and do it discreetly for people who are embarrassed or unable to go to pantries,” she said.
Instead of visiting a pantry location, families could reach out directly. “They just reach out to me… we’ll throw together some food and then deliver it like we’re Walmart delivery or something,” she said. “So then it’s discreet.” Her goal is to remove barriers that might keep someone from seeking help. “We don’t know what your situation is,” she said. “You could be going through a hard time and may need food.”
As Hope 402 continues to grow, Nielsen is working to form partnerships with local organizations, businesses and volunteers.
“My hope will be to establish more relationships with supporters… bringing in the funds more so we can keep growing it and get it to where I want it to be,” she said. She is also seeking connections with mental health providers, addiction recovery programs and other community organizations that could help individuals access additional resources. These resources will be shared with those in need without judgement.
“They need real people who will have those real conversations with them and not judge them,” she said. Hope 402 currently prepares meals and care bags each Saturday. Donations and supplies are often coordinated directly through Nielsen’s home in Bennington. “People can reach out to me and we’ll either come to you and pick them up or I’ll give you my address,” she said.
Community members can support Hope 402 by donating items such as socks, hygiene supplies, snacks, blankets and clothing, or by volunteering. Clothing donations are sorted and distributed either directly to people in need or through partner organizations such as local shelters.
For Nielsen, the goal is simple: bring the community together to help others. “Life happens, right?” she said. “And you just need help, even just once. And we’ll just do it.”Residents interested in donating, volunteering or partnering with Hope 402 can reach out through the organization’s social media pages or website (www.hope402.org) to learn more.
