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Happenings
CTGO NEwS
Picking Up the Torch: CTGO’s Past and Future Come Together in Tennessee Town
Last week, the new Central Topeka Grocery Oasis (CTGO) Board gathered with members of the original board and neighbors from Central Topeka for a community potluck at Faith Temple Church in Tennessee Town, one of the nine core neighborhoods CTGO serves. This gathering was more than a meal. It was a homecoming. Faith Temple Church holds a special place in CTGO’s story. It was here that neighbors first came together years ago to talk about a shared problem: the closure of their
Oct 14, 2025
October Message From the Director
Dear Friends, As October arrives, the crisp air and changing leaves remind us that transformation is both natural and necessary. At the Central Topeka Grocery Oasis (CTGO), we are living out that same spirit this season. While the harvest of a full-service grocery store is not yet here, we are working daily to cultivate the relationships, leadership, and resources that will make it possible. This month, our focus has been on strengthening partnerships and investing in leaders
Oct 2, 2025
Building Community, One Conversation at a Time: CTGO at National Night Out
This past Saturday, Central Topeka Grocery Oasis joined neighbors, city leaders, and community organizations at the City of Topeka’s...
Aug 11, 2025
Community News
Picking Up the Torch: CTGO’s Past and Future Come Together in Tennessee Town
Last week, the new Central Topeka Grocery Oasis (CTGO) Board gathered with members of the original board and neighbors from Central Topeka for a community potluck at Faith Temple Church in Tennessee Town, one of the nine core neighborhoods CTGO serves. This gathering was more than a meal. It was a homecoming. Faith Temple Church holds a special place in CTGO’s story. It was here that neighbors first came together years ago to talk about a shared problem: the closure of their
Building Community, One Conversation at a Time: CTGO at National Night Out
This past Saturday, Central Topeka Grocery Oasis joined neighbors, city leaders, and community organizations at the City of Topeka’s...
Community Connection in Action: CTGO Visits Trinity Presbyterian Church
A Central Cross Helps Support Trinity Presbyterian Church This past Sunday, May 18, our Executive Director, Nadia Arbelo, was honored to...
Recipes
Cooking Well on a Tight Budget
At Central Topeka Grocery Oasis (CTGO) , our mission is simple but powerful: to restore access to fresh, affordable, and nourishing food for everyone in our community. When a neighborhood has lost its grocery store, the absence isn’t just about convenience, it’s about dignity, choice, and health. That’s why we’re excited to share a resource that aligns perfectly with our values: Leanne Brown’s cookbook, Good and Cheap. A Cookbook That’s Changing the Conversation “Good and Che
Cozy, Easy, and Affordable: Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
As the back-to-school season kicks into gear, life tends to get a little busier and quick dinner to the rescue. It’s comforting, easy to make, and gentle on your grocery budget. It's the perfect meal for those cooler evenings that remind us fall is on its way. This dish uses simple, wholesome ingredients that many of us already have on hand and can easily be adapted for your family’s tastes. 🍲 Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole (Recipe adapted from Diva’s Can Cook ) Ingredients
August Recipe: Grilled Brats with Summer Veggies
Grilled Brats with Summer Veggies An easy, energy-saving summer meal using what’s abundant and affordable in August August gardens and...
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5-Ingredient May Dessert: Easy Banana Peanut Butter Bites
No-Bake • Kid-Friendly • Sweet & Healthy Ingredients 1. Bananas (sliced into rounds) 2. Peanut butter (or sunflower butter) 3. Chocolate chips (melted or sprinkled) 4. Oats (for crunch) 5. Honey (optional drizzle) Instructions 1. Slice bananas into thick rounds. 2. Spread a small amount of peanut butter on each slice. 3. Sprinkle with oats. 4. Add a few chocolate chips on top (or melt and drizzle). 5. Chill in the freezer for 20–30 minutes for a cool treat. Budget Tips Skip c
May Message From the Director
As I conclude my tenure as Executive Director of Central Topeka Grocery Oasis, I want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who has been part of this journey. Change is never easy. Community work, especially rooted in equity, food access, and systems change, often moves more slowly than we hope and demands persistence, resilience, collaboration, and vision. Real change happens through conversations, relationships, advocacy, learning, and the people who keep showing up e
5-Ingredient April Recipe: Lemon Garlic Spring Pasta
Hearty • Comforting • Affordable • Ready in 20 minutes Ingredients 1. Pasta (any kind, 12–16 oz) 2. Frozen peas or spinach (spring veggie) 3. Olive oil or butter 4. Garlic (fresh or powder) 5. Lemon (juice + zest if available) Instructions 1. Cook pasta according to package directions. 2. In the last 2 minutes, add peas or spinach to the boiling pasta. 3. Drain and return to the pot. 4. Stir in olive oil (or butter) and garlic. 5. Squeeze in lemon juice and mix well. Optional
April Message From the Director
Dear Friends and Supporters, As we step into April, we are reminded of the beauty and promise that spring brings. This is a season of planting, growth, and new beginnings—a time when gardens begin to bloom, and communities come alive with fresh energy and hope for what is ahead. At Central Topeka Grocery Oasis, this spirit of renewal reflects the work we do every day to cultivate a healthier, more resilient Central Topeka. Spring also highlights the importance of local food s
Easy Bean & Rice Skillet: 5-Ingredient Warm Dinner
Hearty • Comforting • Affordable • Ready in 20 minutes Ingredients 1 cup of rice (white or brown) 1 can of black beans (drained and rinsed) 1 cup salsa (any kind) 1 cup shredded cheese (optional but tasty) 1 teaspoon taco seasoning or cumin/chili powder Instructions Cook rice according to package directions. In a skillet or pot, combine beans + salsa + seasoning. Heat for 5–7 minutes until warm. Stir in cooked rice. Top with cheese and let it melt before serving. Serving idea
March Message From the Director
Dear Friends and Supporters, March brings new energy and a sense of possibility, and I am grateful to share this season with the Central Topeka Grocery Oasis community. Thank you for your ongoing support and belief in our mission to expand healthy food access and strengthen Central Topeka neighborhoods. This month, CTGO continues to build momentum as we work toward creating a sustainable grocery solution that meets the needs of local families. Every step forward — through pla
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