Pastor Tom Barber Spends 24 Hours Outside Hy-Vee to Raise Homelessness Awareness

Pastor Tom Barber of the People’s City Mission spent 24 hours without food or sleep outside a Hy-Vee in Lincoln, Nebraska, on June 20, 2026. The event, part of the 9th annual “Gimme Shelter” initiative, aimed to raise awareness for homelessness and collect water donations for the nonprofit’s clients.

The vigil served as a public demonstration of the hardships faced by unhoused individuals. Barber remained stationed at the grocery store for the full duration of the event to engage with the community and solicit resources for the mission’s outreach efforts.

What is the purpose of the Gimme Shelter event?

The primary goal of the Gimme Shelter event is to generate visibility for the homeless population in Lincoln. By removing basic necessities like food and sleep for a 24-hour period, Barber intended to mirror some of the instability experienced by those without permanent housing.

Beyond awareness, the event functioned as a resource drive. People’s City Mission specifically targeted water donations during this 9th annual iteration of the program. These supplies are used to support individuals living on the streets, particularly during summer months when hydration is a critical health need.

How does the partnership with Hy-Vee support the mission?

The choice of a Hy-Vee location provided the nonprofit with high visibility. By positioning the event at a major retail hub, the mission could reach a larger cross-section of the Lincoln public than a stationary office or church location would allow.

This corporate-nonprofit alignment allowed the mission to collect donations directly from shoppers. The proximity to the store’s inventory simplified the process for donors contributing bottled water to the cause.

The event is now in its ninth year. This longevity indicates a recurring operational strategy for the People’s City Mission to secure seasonal supplies and maintain a public profile regarding regional homelessness.