Letter from the Director, June 2025
- CTGO Team
- Jun 1
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 2
Hello Friends and Supporters,
As summer arrives in Topeka, I want to take a moment to thank you—deeply—for your continued support and to reflect on the incredible momentum behind the Central Topeka Grocery Oasis.
What began with a simple but vital goal—ensuring every Central Topeka resident has access to fresh, affordable, and nutritious food—has grown into a vibrant, community-powered movement. Because of your advocacy, generosity, and partnership, we're making real progress toward turning that vision into a reality.
Over the past few months, we’ve strengthened relationships with regional grocers, finalized our operational plans, and taken meaningful steps toward opening the store itself. Each milestone reaffirms our shared commitment to health equity, economic empowerment, and local resilience. And we’re just getting started.
To bring the Oasis to life, we’re raising essential funds to cover construction, equipment, and startup operations. We’re actively pursuing grants from the Heartland F
ood Fund Initiative, Capitol Federal Foundation, the Lewis H. Humphreys Foundation, and others—but grassroots support from our community is absolutely vital.
If you’re able, please consider making a donation at https://www.centraltopekagro.com/support. Whether it's a one-time gift or a recurring monthly contribution, every dollar helps bring healthy food closer to home for Central Topekans.
If you or your organization is interested in becoming a major donor or funding partner, I’d love to connect. Send me an email at narbelo@centraltopekagro.com to learn more about sponsorship levels, naming opportunities, and other ways to support this transformational project.
Thank you for believing in this work—and for walking with us as we build a healthier, more vibrant Topeka, together.
With deep gratitude,
Nadia Arbelo
Executive Director