COVID-19
Making an Impact
Due to COVID-19, many businesses have 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—July 2020
Food Assistance
Food assistance was provided 20,024 times to 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.
88 tons
of food were dispensed at monthly Mass Food Distributions.
344,000 lbs
of produce (172 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 7 virtual financial education classes were conducted to help individuals and families manage their finances and unexpected hardships through these difficult times.
Parish Food Drives
have contributed over 91 tons of food donations which go directly to our neighbors in need.
- Kids Summer Food
70,336 meals have been provided to children who depend on free and reduced lunch during the school year at 18 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 1,198 times provided to individuals and families who live in our 15 rural counties. These vehicles have 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
19 new participants enrolled in our St. Rita skills training program since March 1st — more than double the amount of students we had in the first two years’ cohorts. During this same period, St. Rita has graduated 15 participants within the areas of nursing and skilled trades. Eight have already been connected to new job opportunities. Our St. Rita educational partnerships now include programming at Kansas City Kansas Community College, Johnson County Community College, Donnelly College and University of Saint Mary.
- Housing, Utilities and Direct Financial Assistance
2,078 individuals and 788 families were provided housing, rent and utility assistance between March and July. That is already more than half the number served for the entire last fiscal year!
170 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 $4,739 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
50% reduction in our volunteer workforce since March has led to a decrease in service hours from 17,294 to 8,737 per month.
Above: Children receive a box with meals and books as part of our Kids Summer Food Program.
These are just some of the ways that Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas serves our brothers and sisters in need.
In this time of trial, we are reminded of our common humanity—and our calling to support those in need.
As COVID-19 continues to affect our daily routines, our neighbors in need require our support more than ever.
