Central Topeka Grocery Oasis Group

08/08/2026

This evening, Central Topeka Grocery Oasis had the opportunity to be part of the Central Park’s National Night Out festivities! We were honored to provide healthy treats and eats, and connect with so many amazing community members.

A special thank you to our Board Chairman, Robert, and Board Member, Eduardo, for representing CTGO, manning our table, and sharing our mission with the incredible Central Park community.

This is just the beginning… stay tuned for more CTGO on the Go! 💚🌱

07/24/2026

Meet one of our board members, Nikki Ramirez-Jennings!

Nikki is a dedicated community builder with extensive experience in strengthening neighborhoods and supporting families throughout Topeka.

She has coordinated large-scale food distributions in partnership with Topeka Public Schools and Harvesters, launched a community-driven farmers' market for the Hi-Crest community, and built strong volunteer networks to address food insecurity and foster community connections.

Nikki is passionate about creating sustainable solutions that bring people together, expand access to resources, and ensure that every family feels supported.

She brings her skills in collaboration, grassroots engagement, and program development to advance the vision of the Central Topeka Grocery Oasis.

06/26/2026

Meet our board member, Lisa Williams!

Lisa is a distinguished adoption attorney with a profound dedication to adoption and child welfare litigation. With over a decade of experience exclusively in this field, Lisa has earned a reputation for her unwavering commitment to advocating for the best interests of children and families.

She served the children and families of Shawnee County as a court appointed Guardian ad Litem for over eight years. Before her legal career, Lisa spent nearly a decade as a classroom teacher. Driven by a lifelong dream, she pursued a law degree at Washburn University School of Law, where she earned a family law certificate, served as a junior editor on the Family Law Quarterly, and represented students on the Washburn Student Bar Association. She also clerked for the Honorable Mary Mattivi, conducting research and writing on family law cases.

Lisa's focus on adoption is deeply personal, having been adopted herself as an infant. This experience fuels her dedication to the field, as she aims to help others create the same love-filled lives she was afforded. As a Fellow of the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Technology Attorneys, Lisa is recognized for her expertise and contributions. She develops programs supporting the adoption community, such as the Law School Affiliate Program and a mentorship initiative.

She also organizes the annual " Picnic at the Zoo," celebrating adoption and family creation, and actively fundraises to support adoption grants for families of color. Her role as an adoption attorney has lead to the creation of her adoption agency, Shape of My Heart Adoptions, whose mission is to ensure equitable access to adoption services.

Lisa's professional journey is marked by dedication, expertise, and unwavering support for children and families in the adoption process.

06/19/2026

Join us this Saturday from 9am-12pm at the Breadbasket Farmers Market for Kids at the Market!

Kids ages 5-12 can receive $5 in vouchers! Vouchers are limited in quantity and first come first serve.

Kids at the Market is an interactive food education program that introduces children to fresh produce, local growers, and basic money skills in a fun, hands-on way. Through guided exploration at the farmers market, children learn where food comes from, how it grows, and why healthy eating matters—all while practicing real-world decision-making.

05/19/2026

We’re excited for our work ahead to bring accessible food to Topeka. Thanks to Topeka Capital-Journal for this piece about our renewed efforts.

https://www.cjonline.com/story/grocery/stores/2026/05/19/how-central-topeka-grocery-oasis-group-is-retooling-its-store-vision/90066520007/ #

The Central Topeka Grocery Oasis Group is transitioning to a professional board to bring a grocery store to the food desert.

05/11/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Coffee & Connection today! ☕️💚

We appreciate you showing up, sharing your ideas, and helping us continue moving the Central Topeka Grocery Oasis mission forward. Community voices matter, and we’re grateful to build alongside you.

Stay tuned for what’s next… this is only the momentum building! ✨

05/11/2026

Good morning Community! 💚☕️

CTGO is here and ready to greet and meet with our community until 10:00am. A special thank you to Coffee Bar Topeka (1635 SW Washburn Ave) for being such an amazing host this morning!

Friendly reminder: the first 10 cups of coffee are on CTGO!☕️

Help us move this mission forward. Your voice matters, your ideas matter, and together we can help bring a grocery store to Central Topeka. We can’t wait to connect with you!💚

05/06/2026

For many families in Central Topeka, getting fresh groceries isn’t simple.

Erika, a lifelong Central Topeka resident and Washburn student, shares why access to healthy food matters for our community 💚

04/23/2026

☕ Coffee & Connection is happening!

Join us for a morning of conversation, ideas, and community as we move the Central Topeka Grocery Oasis forward.

📅 Monday, May 11
⏰ 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
📍 Topeka’s Coffee Bar (1635 SW Washburn Ave)

Come learn more about CTGO, share your voice, and be part of building something meaningful for Central Topeka.

✨ First 10 guests receive FREE coffee!

We want to hear your ideas, let’s build this together.