One woman’s mission to make Manhattan healthier, kinder, and stronger

MANHATTAN (KSNT) – She’s been called a driving force for compassion in Manhattan — leading efforts to improve health and housing, while fighting hunger across the region.

In a world where community challenges often feel too big to tackle, Debbie Nunn is proof that one determined person can make a difference — and inspire others to join her.

“First of all, I can’t do any of the things I do without the support of other like-minded people so it’s reassuring to know that when you think that something needs to be done…or fixe…or changed, there are other people that agree with you.”

Born in Great Bend, Kansas in 1955, Debbie grew up surrounded by resilience. Raised largely by her grandmothers, she says those early lessons in strength and self-reliance set the tone for everything that followed.

“My grandmother was a very resourceful woman in terms of taking care of herself…so things that I like to do were probably the things I had to do.”

After graduating from Kansas State University, Debbie built a career in education, health, and community advocacy — eventually becoming Executive Director of both Common Table and the Flint Hills Wellness Coalition. Her work now focuses on health equity and ensuring everyone in her community has access to the basics: food, housing, and care.

“The Wellness Coalition works with community partners, individuals, organizations to address health equity issues in the community…so we look at transportation, housing, mental health, physical activity — all those things.”

Under her leadership, Manhattan became the first city in Kansas to pass a voter-approved “no-smoking” ordinance — and later, the first dementia-friendly community in the state. Her passion for advocacy, she says, traces back to a group of women who taught her how to make her voice count.

“The League of Women Voters contacted me…and they taught me what I know about community activism — how you research a topic before you take a position, and how to talk to other people and persuade them to agree with your point of view.”

When she’s not organizing change, Debbie is leading Common Table– coordinating volunteers who serve free community meals every night of the week.

“Right now…we’re serving on average probably 70 people a night, and we don’t ask questions of anybody. Everybody’s welcome — no questions asked.”

It’s meaningful work for someone who’s faced her own share of loss. Debbie was widowed in 2021 after her husband’s long battle with cancer. Through it all, she’s stayed grounded — thanks to her family, her faith, and a loyal four-legged companion.

“People talk about emotional support animals, and she definitely has been that for me since my spouse died. She’s a great dog.”

After decades of service, Debbie says she’s not ready to slow down just yet. Her next goal is to keep fighting for fairness and opportunity for everyone who calls Kansas home.

“Poverty is not a moral failing — it’s an economic issue. It’s the fact that people can’t earn enough, or it costs too much to live where they live. Figuring that out probably won’t happen in my lifetime, but I like to still talk about it and try to be part of the solution to that.”

Click on the links if you’d like to learn more about Common Table or the Flint Hills Wellness Coalition — or even sign up to volunteer — we’ve posted those links inside this story on our website.

If you know a woman we should highlight in this segment, please go to ksnt.com to nominate. We feature these honorees during 27 news at 10 on the last Tuesday of each month.