Catholic Charities of Wyandotte County - Food Distribution Center

Who Can Visit?

The food pantry at the Hope Distribution Center is open to anyone who is struggling and in need of food assistance. Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas serves people of all faiths, backgrounds, and circumstances across its 21-county service area. All services are based on need, not religion, gender, race, or nationality.

Food & Essentials

The Hope Distribution Center is a large food distribution warehouse that also features a food pantry. The pantry provides food to hungry individuals and families in the community. Through the organization's food programs, people can receive a wide variety of items. The mobile food distributions held nearby include perishable items such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and dairy items, with the specific selection varying based on availability. Food is sourced from local food banks like Harvesters Food Bank and may be supplemented with donated food.

How to Pick Up

The food pantry at the Hope Distribution Center is located at the large food distribution warehouse. Volunteers at the site help sort and distribute food to those who come in need.

Additional Support

Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas offers a wide range of additional programs and services beyond the food pantry:

• SNAP Enrollment Help: Staff can help you find out if you qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides monthly food benefits to low-income families. Text FOOD to 74544 or visit catholiccharitiesks.org/snap to screen for eligibility. There is no fee to apply.
• Mobile Food Distribution: Every third Saturday of the month, a drive-up mobile food distribution is held at J.C. Harmon High School Parking Lot (2400 Steele Road, Kansas City, KS 66106). No advance registration is needed. Cars are directed through two lanes and boxes of food are loaded into trunks. Food is distributed on a first come, first served basis from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM. The schedule can also be found at catholiccharitiesks.org/mobile-food-distribution.
• Kids Summer Food Program: Free meals for children and teens ages 1 to 18 are available at multiple sites during the summer. No application or sign-up is needed.
• Financial Education: Programs like Family Financial Transformations (FFT) help people build savings and reduce debt through individualized financial coaching.
• Refugee and Immigration Services: English language classes, case management, employment support, and legal services through the La Luz Immigration Clinic are available for refugees and immigrants.
• Workforce Development: Employment services and training programs help people reach their education and career goals.
• Emergency Assistance: Family Support Centers provide emergency help, including housing and utility assistance, and case management.
• Resource Bus: A bus stocked with food and staffed by a case manager brings services to people in rural and outlying areas.

Ways to Give

Donations of all sizes make a difference. You can give online at catholiccharitiesks.org/donate. To mail a check, make it out to Catholic Charities Foundation of Northeast Kansas and send it to: Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, 9720 West 87th Street, Overland Park, KS 66212.

You can also join the M25 Monthly Giving Program at catholiccharitiesks.org/ways-to-give/m25-monthly-giving-program. If you would like to designate your gift to a specific program, contact Meg Turner by phone at 913.433.2033 or by email at mturner@catholiccharitiesks.org. Catholic Charities is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

How to Join the Team?

There are many ways to volunteer at the Hope Distribution Center and other Catholic Charities programs. Volunteer opportunities at the Hope Distribution Center include sorting food (open to groups and students ages 8 and up) and serving as a warehouse assistant (for core volunteers ages 21 and up, with morning and afternoon shifts available Monday through Friday).

To get started, visit catholiccharitiesks.org/volunteer or email ccnekvolunteers@catholiccharitiesks.org. You can also call the volunteer team at 913.433.2100. Core volunteers ages 18 and older must complete VIRTUS Training and a background check. Youth volunteers, groups, and families are all welcome. If you need to complete court-mandated community service hours, email sholland@catholiccharitiesks.org.