Community Assistance Council/LincWorks

Who Can Visit?

Community Assistance Council (CAC) serves families in South Kansas City who are facing food insecurity and housing instability. The pantry focuses on helping people in the Ruskin and surrounding area who are going through tough financial situations.

To get food and other services, you need to fill out an application first. After you submit your application, someone from CAC will contact you within 24 to 48 hours to set up an appointment.

How to Register?

Fill out the Food Pantry and Happy Bottoms application on their website. You can also call 816-763-3277 or email info@communityassistancekc.org for more information. Phone lines are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 to 10:00 AM.

Items Needed for Registration

When you come in for your first appointment, please bring these documents with you:

• Birth certificates for all children in your home
• Proof of income
• Address verification document

Good to Know

The lobby is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The office is closed for lunch from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Phone lines for questions are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 to 10:00 AM. Visitors have shared that the staff make you feel welcome and do not make you feel bad about needing help.

Additional Support

CAC offers much more than just food. Here are some of the other ways they can help:

• Utility assistance to help prevent you from losing power or water, and to help prevent homelessness
• Comprehensive case management to help you work through different challenges
• Emergency rental assistance for people who are struggling to pay rent
• Happy Bottoms program, which includes potty training support for families with young children
• Empower Nights, held on Wednesdays at 10901 Blue Ridge, Kansas City, MO (and also available online at 6:30 PM), where you can learn financial tips and money-saving strategies
• Free Financial Literacy Course called Money Moves, available through CAC's partners
• Education and resources to help build a lasting impact for families
• Holiday support, including Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for the community, as well as a free Christmas store where families in need can get presents

Facilities

CAC has a clothing closet where visitors can get clean, gently used clothes. One reviewer shared: "I got clothes for my special needs child, I got food and I paid a bill for me."

Ways to Give

CAC welcomes donations to help serve more families in South Kansas City. You can make a one-time or monthly donation online at givebutter.com/zmL9EL. Small monthly gifts help create lasting stability for local families.

You can also donate gently used clothes to the clothing closet. For more information, contact CAC by phone at 816-763-3277 or by email at info@communityassistancekc.org.