Family Support Center Hours

Our Family Support Centers continue to serve during this great time of need in our communities. Please wear a mask and maintain social distancing.

All food pantries are open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 9am-4pm and 12pm-4pm Wednesday. Please follow the drive-up directions posted at each location.
Happy Bottoms diapers can be picked up Monday-Friday 8:30-4.  Please sign up online before your first pickup.
Case management for rental/utility assistance is available by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, please call your local FSC Monday-Friday 8:30-4. Walk-ins are not accepted at this time.

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Debido al coronavirus, los centros de apoyo familiar siguen a servir nuestras comunidades. Por favor lleve una mascarilla y mantenga un distanciamiento social.

Todas las despensas de alimentos están abiertos los Lunes, Martes y Jueves a 9am-4pm (12pm-4pm Miércoles).
Los pañales de Happy Bottoms pueden ser recogidos los Lunes-Viernes a 8:30-4. Por favor, registrase en linea antes de su primera visita.
Los coordinadores de servicios para ayuda con renta o utilidades están disponibles solo con cita. Para una cita, llame a su FSC local Lunes-Viernes 8:30-4. No se aceptan visitas sin cita.

Need food or housing assistance? Get help here.

Over 27,000 people in Shawnee County are food insecure.  They 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 Topeka Family Support Center (FSC) 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 we had been serving the area, it was determined that an on-site FSC could directly meet the communities’ needs.  The Topeka FSC opened in 2014.

This past fiscal year, demand for services continued to grow in Topeka.  We experienced an 81% increase in the number of unduplicated individuals served by our FSC.  Food assistance nearly doubled, while housing support increased by 26% and financial education grew 45%.

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

Topeka FSC Address:
234 South Kansas Ave.
Topeka, KS 66603

Phone:
785.233.6300

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.

Food Pantry hours:
9:00-noon and 1:00-3:30 (Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday)

12:00 pm – 4:00 pm (Wednesday)

Hours of Operation:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday:
9:00 am – 3:30 pm

TOPEKA FSC INFO SHEET

This information sheet in Adobe PDF format provides details about the Topeka Family Support 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.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

We help with basic utility and rent payments and more. 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.

SEASONABL CLOTHING ASSISTANCE

We provide gently used clothing through either an on-site clothing closet or vouchers to local thrift stores.

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.