Food for Thought
Becky Grant, Community Assistance Administrator, will never forget the impoverished woman who came to the Family Center’s food pantry for emergency food assistance. "As I handed her a sack lunch, I saw tears streaming down her face because she hadn’t eaten for days," Becky recounts. "She hadn’t even opened the bag yet - she was just grateful someone cared. She finally had something to eat, and she couldn’t contain her emotions."
Three afternoons a week - more often if the need arises - our Community Assistance Staff opens the doors of our food pantry to dispense canned goods wrapped in lots of love. When seniors, families or women come to the pantry, our staff first sits down with them to hear about their hardships. We share the Gospel with them and pray about their concerns. Then, we pull together bags of food to get them through the rough spots.
Sometimes, the families can’t wait for the food to be boxed up before they dig in, Becky says. Often, children will open a loaf of bread and pass it among themselves, filling their growling stomachs while their mother talks with our staff.
Similarly, the Men’s Center offers pre-bagged groceries for single men who walk in off the streets in need of food. Homeless men are also invited to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner in the Men’s Center.
For families who need more than a few bags of groceries, the Mission also offers clothing and household items. We also offer an 8-week budgeting class in which low-income men and women learn how to stretch their food dollars. Families who want extended help can join our Community New Life Program, which includes classes, home visits and coaching for a year.
At Thanksgiving and Christmas, we also provide dinner boxes for the poor and elderly.
As the number of hungry people in Kansas City increases, so does demand at our emergency food pantry. Last year, we provided food for 2,051 people. This year, Becky expects that number to nearly double.
