COVID-19
Making an Impact in 2020
Due to COVID-19, many businesses closed their doors and many jobs have been lost. As more and more families are facing financial hardships, they are turning to Catholic Charities for help.
Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas made a commitment to keep serving during COVID-19.
Priorities were shifted to our food, housing and healthcare ministries. With our offices closed to the public during early lockdown, we offered drive-thru food distributions and accelerated our Kids Summer Food program to start months in advance; continued case management remotely; and conducted virtual financial classes. Throughout all the difficult days, we have been inspired by the outpouring of prayers, food drives and financial contributions for our agency and the essential work that we do to support families in need.
By the Numbers
March—November 2020
Food Assistance
Food assistance was provided to 117,866 individuals and families in need across our Hope Distribution Center, seven Family Support Centers and our Olathe and Kansas City, Kansas monthly mass food distributions.
165 tons
of food were dispensed at monthly Mass Food Distributions.
350,000 lbs
of produce (175 lbs) were distributed since March as part of the USDA’s farm-to-table program.
Shalom House
18 men experiencing homelessness were welcomed and safely resided in our Shalom House Men’s Shelter in KCK.
Asset Development
357 financial case management appointments and 40 virtual financial education classes (40 adult classes and 5 children’s classes) were conducted to help individuals and families manage their finances and unexpected hardships through these difficult times.
Parish Food Drives
have contributed over 166 tons of food donations which go directly to our neighbors in need.
- Kids Summer Food
89,154 meals have been provided to children who depend on free and reduced lunch during the school year at 24 sites throughout our Archdiocese including a brand new partnership with 7 housing projects in Kansas City, Kansas. We accelerated the program to begin months early due to COVID-19, and quickly eclipsed the 12,200 meals served last year.
- Mobile Resource Bus
Food, clothing, diapers and hygiene products were provided to 7,192 individuals who live in our 15 rural counties. The Mobile Resource Bus has been critical to the success of our summer feeding programs and ability to execute our new produce box partnership with the USDA.
St. Rita/ Workforce
31 new participants enrolled in our St. Rita skills training program since March 1st. During this time, 17 participants obtained credentials in high-
demand, high-earning potential career fields. We have also helped counsel, connect and place 21 of those St. Rita participants with 26 new job opportunities. Through our Refugee Employment Services, we have helped place 135 refugees in 177 jobs that help contribute to the overall self-sufficiency of refugee families.
- Housing, Utilities and Direct Financial Assistance
8,115 individuals were provided housing, rent & utility assistance through remote and in-person case management.
213 patients received compassionate end-of-life care from Catholic Community Hospice despite having limited access to our patients and their families.
Our three TurnStyles Thrift stores re-opened in May and have recently averaged $4,905 in daily sales. TurnStyles Thrift stores offer an affordable, dignified shopping experience for families in need and provides financial support for our 20+ programs and services.
50%
reduction
A 50%+ reduction in our volunteer workforce since March led to a decrease in service hours. In April, we recorded a low of 400 volunteers compared to our typical 1,700 monthly volunteers who we rely on to help us carry out our mission. We have slowly been building back up and currently have an average of 750 monthly volunteers.
Learn More
Accountability
Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas strives to be a good steward of all donations. View our financial statements and learn about our commitments.
