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WHERE WE WORK

Olathe Emergency Assistance Center (EAC)

Olathe EAC2017-08-25T18:07:47+00:00

The Olathe EAC provides services to help meet the immediate survival needs of families of all faiths.

Nearly 65,000 people in Johnson 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 Olathe Emergency Assistance Center (EAC) 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 Johnson County, it was determined that an on-site EAC in Olathe could more directly meet the community’s needs. The Olathe  EAC opened in 1981 in the city’s downtown area.   We partner with many organizations to provide extensive programs and services including the Olathe Fire Department’s Integrated Health Care Unit which offers monthly screenings; Happy Bottoms diaper program; K-State Extension for monthly nutrition classes; and weekly financial classes through Arvest Bank.  On the fourth Tuesday of every month, we team up with Harvesters to host a mobile fresh food distribution of perishable and refrigerated items in the parking lot.

This past fiscal year, demand for services continued to grow in Olathe. We served 12,246 unduplicated individuals.  We provided food assistance 30,593 times.  Household and personal items increased 147% while the distribution of gently used clothing grew by 15% and the number of financial education participants was 63% 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

Olathe EAC Address:
333 East Poplar
Olathe, KS 66061

Phone:
913.782.4077

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:
Monday through Friday – 8:30 am- 4:30 pm

OLATHE EAC INFO SHEET

This information sheet in Adobe PDF format provides details about the Olathe Emergency Assistance Center that you can download.

DOWNLOAD INFO SHEET (PDF)

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. Every day, we offer bread to anyone who comes into our EAC in need of food.  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

CLOTHING ASSISTANCE

We provide gently used clothing through either an on-site clothing closet or vouchers to local thrift stores. Items may include pants, shirts and shoes to meet the needs of those who require an outfit for a job interview; back-to-school wear for their children; or seasonal items to stay warm or keep cool.

CASE MANAGEMENT

We resolve not only emergency needs, but have case managers who work one-on-one to identify long-term solutions that lead to self-sufficiency.

HOUSING ASSISTANCE

We assist those who may be, or who are at risk for, experiencing homelessness, directing them to community partners who can provide transitional and rapid rehousing support.

FRIENDLY VISITORS

We pair trained, compassionate volunteers with homebound seniors ages 60+ who live alone, as well as those with disabilities, who need caring, friendly people to visit, call or lend a helping hand.
MORE ON FRIENDLY VISITORS
Whether it’s lending a helping hand at our food pantry, thrift store, men’s shelter or any one of our many programs, the assistance of our volunteers is necessary and appreciated. Volunteers are vital to the success of programs and services.

With four hours of your time, you could mentor a refugee or migrant family as they acclimate to their new surroundings. With one evening, you could prepare and serve a dinner meal and socialize with the guests at Shalom House, men’s shelter. With four hours a week, you could greet and direct those in need of assistance at one of our Emergency Assistance Centers.

LEARN MORE

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