Letter from the CEO – Fall 2026

Progress doesn’t wait for the perfect moment. It’s made when we have the courage to do the next right thing, one decision and one step forward at a time.

That spirit is what drives Heart Ministry Center every day, and it’s the theme of this edition of The Pulse.

Before looking ahead, I want to begin with gratitude. Holy Smokes 2026: The Next Right Thing was an incredible success because of you. Thank you to every donor, volunteer, presenting sponsor, attendee, and every person who raised a paddle in support of our mission. Your generosity reminds us that lasting change happens when a community comes together to invest in hope.

This fall, we’re breaking ground on our 25,000-square-foot grocery store at 25th & Lake. Many have asked why Heart Ministry Center is building a grocery store. We asked our community about their top priority, and the resounding answer was a grocery store. With multiple grocery stores closing in the area, families have lost access to healthy, affordable food, and our neighborhood has lost valuable jobs. We want to provide our community with access, opportunity, and choice.

This will be a full-service neighborhood grocery store where everyone is welcome to shop. Conveniently located near downtown, Creighton University, and just east of Highway 75, it will serve the entire Omaha community while strengthening North Omaha.

What makes this store different is that it is a social enterprise. Every purchase will help nourish, heal, and transform lives, reflecting the Heart’s vision. Proceeds will be reinvested into Heart Ministry Center’s mission through meaningful employment opportunities, including careers for graduates of our Fresh Start program.

For the Heart, this isn’t just about opening another grocery store. We want to build a stronger community where business becomes a force for good, creates jobs, expands food access, and invests in its people.

Thank you for believing in Heart Ministry Center and in what’s possible when we take the next right step together. Because of you, the future of our community is stronger and full of hope.