Need food or housing assistance? Get help here.

Nearly 29,000 people in Wyandotte County struggle to get enough food to eat.  At times, they’re forced to make difficult choices between feeding their families and paying their rent.

Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas is here to help.  Our Kansas City, Kansas Family Support Center is available to low-income individuals and families who need food or assistance with basic utility payments, housing, clothing or medical prescriptions.

The help goes beyond meeting immediate needs.  An on-site case manager works to identify solutions and resources that will lead to long-term change.

GIVING HELP. GIVING HOPE.

Although Catholic Charities had been serving the area, it was determined that an on-site Family Support Center (FSC) in Kansas City, Kansas could more directly meet the community’s needs. The FSC opened in September 2002.  Every year, this location hosts a Christmas store for more than 200 families featuring new toys and games donated by local parish members.  Eligible families get the opportunity to shop for Christmas presents for their children.

This past fiscal year, we served 13,843 unduplicated individuals.  We experienced a 17% increase in food assistance – providing food 54,643 times.  Requests for gently used clothing grew 44% while financial education was 152% higher.

We could not assist our neighbors in need without the support and generosity of  individuals, businesses, parishes and foundations who step up to organize food drives, make gifts-in-kind, volunteer in our food pantry and make financial contributions.  We are truly blessed.

CONTACT INFORMATION

WyCo Family Support Center Address:
600 Minnesota Avenue,
Kansas City, Kansas

Phone:
913.621.3445 (Family Support Center)

913.621.1504 (Front Desk)

Call for an appointment to learn what you will need to bring with you to receive services.  All services are free and based on need – not religion, race or nationality.

 

Hours of Operation:

Food Pantry:
Now Open!
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 9am-12pm and 1pm-3:30pm

Family Support Center:
Monday – Friday:
8:30 am –  Noon, 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Save

FOOD PANTRY

We value the dignity of those we serve, offering a self-shopping food pantry. Every 30 days, shoppers may pick items appropriate for their families’ dietary and cultural needs, choosing from a variety of high-quality, perishable and non-perishable foods including fresh fruits and vegetables.   We also carry a limited selection of personal care items in our pantry including shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toilet paper, diapers, deodorant and laundry detergent.

NUTRITION EDUCATION

We offer either a single or series of nutrition classes using ingredients available in our food pantry to assist families with meals that are nutritious and affordable.  These on-site classes are taught by K-State Extension Services, Harvesters, Just Food or our case manager. Samples may be on-hand for taste tests following a cooking demonstration.  Recipes are available to recreate the dish at home.

MASS FOOD DISTRIBUTION

We team up with Harvesters and other community agencies at various Catholic Charities locations to do a pop-up pantry. Healthy perishable foods, including fruits and vegetables and refrigerated items, are given out to residents.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

We help with basic utility and rent payments; vital prescriptions; and medical supply expenses. Also, we screen for safety net programs such as SNAP (food stamps) and WIC (Women Infants Children).

FINANCIAL EDUCATION

We provide basic financial education and offer budget coaching and guidance on topics including starting a debt reduction plan, establishing a relationship with a banking institution and applying for available resources. We also offer Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) to those who meet income qualifications or persons with disabilities. Volunteers are IRS-certified and provide free, basic tax preparation.

COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES

We strive to alleviate the gaps that exist when it comes to accessing quality health care.  We help families overcome those barriers by providing and coordinating health and mental health services with community partners. Services include blood pressure screenings, pregnancy health monitoring, dental clinics and more.
MORE ON COMMUNITY HEALTH