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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 13
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
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
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...
All Blog posts
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
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
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...
August Letter From the Director
Dear Friends of CTGO, As August unfolds, and the summer begins to wind down, it offers us a moment to pause, reflect, and reengage. This...
CTGO Welcomes New Board Chair: Kristen Kreie
We’re thrilled to announce that Kristen Kreie has been elected as the new Chair of the Board for Central Topeka Grocery Oasis. As we...
July Letter from the director
Dear Friends and Supporters, As we welcome the height of summer, I want to take a moment to thank you for your ongoing support and...
Welcoming John Quinton to the CTGO Board: Designing a More Nourishing Future
Central Topeka Grocery Oasis is proud to welcome John E. Quinton, Jr., AIA to our Board of Directors. A seasoned architect,...
Letter from the Director, June 2025
Topeka Police Chief Chris Vallejo with CTGO Executive Director Nadia Arbelo at the Central Park Big Community Cleanup, hosted by Omni...
Welcome Sara Cain: A Community-Driven Force Joining CTGO
Sara Cain, CTGO Board and Community Engagement Committee Member We’re excited to announce a powerful new addition to the Central Topeka...
May Letter from the Director
Executive Director Nadia Arbelo Dear Friends and Neighbors, As the air softens and the first blossoms of spring begin to color our city,...
Community Power on Full Display at Central Park Cleanup
We’re still feeling the energy from the Central Park Big Community Cleanup on March 29th! In partnership with our friends at Omni Circle...
From Grassroots to Grocery
Central Topeka Grocery Oasis Group (CTGO) has had our heads down and been hard at work this past year setting the stage for our next...
Art Benefit Sale Launches CTGO’s Capital Campaign with Over $5,000 RaiseD
The Central Topeka Grocery Oasis (CTGO) took a monumental step forward in its mission to restore food security to Central Topeka.
Central Topeka Grocery Oasis Group Expands Leadership with New Executive Director,Operations Coordinator, and Board Members
(CTGO) is excited to announce key additions to its team, including Nadia Arbelo as Executive Director, Robert Riley as Operations...
Central Topeka Grocery Oasis is getting the ball rolling on a long-needed neighborhood essential
Topeka is hopefully getting another grocery store soon. That is, if it can get past the planning phase.
Lease agreement signed for proposed Central Topeka grocery site
GraceMed Health and Central Topeka Grocery Oasis Group at the signing of the Ground Lease Agreement on March 16, 2023. CTGO is working to...
$628,000 ARPA Grant to the CTGO Group
The Topeka community and region continues to generously support the CTGO Group to make the dream of a new community grocery store become...
Robinson Middle School's Meet the Teacher Night
The Central Topeka Grocery Oasis (CTGO) Group had a great time getting the word out on our store project at Robinson Middle School's...
Central Topeka Grocery Oasis Group and GraceMed working on location for new grocery store
Sarah Flieder has lived in central Topeka for the past six years and used to have easy access to groceries. That was before the Dillons...
CTGO sends survey seeking input from local residents
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - If you live in central Topeka, you know all too well that grocery stores in this part of town are few and far...
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