Julie Davis
jdavis@cherryroad.com

Great things can result from small beginnings.

Representatives from the newest community service organization in Nebraska City, Small Beginnings, visited the Nebraska City Rotary Club on June 18 to give club members some background on the group and the projects it is currently undertaking.

The group takes its name from the Bible verse Zechariah 4:10, “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin,” said Gina Simrell, one of the founders of the group.

Simrell said God “put it on my heart” to help others in the community, and she invited a few other women to join her in her efforts.

Now, Simrell, Pam Epp, Bobbi Teten, Wynee Benedict, and Renee Stidd form the core of the organization.

One of Small Beginning’s first projects was taking over the operation of the Hungry Soul Soup House near First Baptist Church on 7th Street last fall.

The group also organized a winter coat and blanket drive at the indoor Farmers Markets at the Nebraska City Veterans Memorial Building last fall, and they hosted a children’s clothing giveaway in April at the Arbor Crossing Outlet Mall.

Small Beginnings prepared and hosted a Thanksgiving Day meal for the residents of Riverview Terrace who would otherwise have been alone on that holiday, said Simrell.

Group members also provide transportation to and from medical appointments for those unable to drive or who do not have access to a vehicle, said Simrell.

She told the story about how she and Epp went to CHI Health St. Mary’s in a blizzard to pick up a man who was being discharged.

His response was, “I can’t believe the God Squad cared enough to come get me.”

Simrell said her goal is to “meet people where they are” and connect them to God.

The group’s next project is to obtain grant funding to add five “Free Little Pantry”s to Nebraska City to supplement the services of other food banks and pantries during off hours.

Members of the group have been in contact with a carpenter in Lincoln, Mike Reinmiller, who constructed 46 such pantries in Lincoln during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Each pantry measures 24 by 48 inches and is securely built to keep out weather. Volunteers have begun building the pantry boxes, and four of the five locations have been secured.

Follow “Small Beginnings” on Facebook to learn more about the organization.