Metro Lutheran Ministry

Who Can Visit?

The Central Food Pantry at Metro Lutheran Ministry serves Jackson County residents from zip codes 64108 through 64114 or 64127 through 64132 only. The pantry is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 10:30 am. If you have a food allergy, allergy-friendly food is available. Please bring a note from your doctor when you come.

Good to Know

Bread products are given out on Mondays and produce is given out on Tuesdays. These are open to the public on a first come, first served basis. Visitors have shared that the pantry is a great place with kind and friendly staff.

Food & Essentials

The food pantry provides nutritious food to those in need. Fresh produce is distributed on Tuesdays. The pantry also grows food through its own Urban Orchard and Community Gardens, which includes 108 fruit trees and 36 community garden beds. Produce from the orchard and gardens is distributed through the food pantry. Hygiene items are also given out to food pantry clients. Allergy-friendly food is available for those with food allergies.

How to Pick Up

Visitors come to the pantry in person during open hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 10:30 am at 3031 Holmes St., Kansas City, MO 64109. You can call 816-931-0027 for more information.

Additional Support

Metro Lutheran Ministry offers many services beyond food. Here is what is available at the Central location:

• Senior Commodity Boxes: MLM partners with Harvesters to provide commodity boxes and food pantry services for seniors aged 60 and older, once a month. Call (816) 931-0027 or email info@mlmkc.org with questions.
• Sack Lunch Program: MLM gives out sack lunches to anyone who is hungry, including people who walk in from the street. Over 9,460 sack lunches were given out in 2024.
• Financial Opportunity Center: Located at 3031 Holmes, this center helps low- to moderate-income people with job searches, resume building, employment coaching, financial counseling, and public benefits coaching. Access to a computer, printer, fax machine, and flash drives is available. Help getting work clothes, certifications, and bus passes is also offered. Contact Paul Newman at paulnewman@mlmkc.org or 816-285-3135, or Daynisha Hall at daynishahall@mlmkc.org or 816-285-3121.
• Rent and Utility Assistance: Help with rent and utilities is available for qualifying residents.
• Emergent Needs: Diapers in sizes newborn to size 6 toddler are available, with up to 50 diapers per month donated to eligible families. Call 816-931-0027 for more information. Hygiene items are also distributed. Medical and dental assistance is available for households with income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, including eye exams, eyeglasses, prescription help, diabetes supplies, emergency dental care, and durable medical equipment. Contact MLM at 816-285-3155 for Jackson/Wyandotte Counties.
• Missouri Birth Certificates: Vouchers to help pay for Missouri birth certificates are available. Must meet guidelines and is subject to funding availability. Call 816-931-0027.

Ways to Give

MLM gladly accepts food and hygiene item donations at all three food pantry locations. For questions about pantry donations, contact Kimberlye Bernard, Community Assistance Manager, at 816-285-3122. You can also donate online at mlmkc.org/donate/donate-to-mlm/. A flyer for collection drives is available to download at mlmkc.org/wp-content/uploads/food-pantry-wishlist.pdf.

Vehicle donations including cars, motorcycles, RVs, and boats are also welcome. All proceeds go to MLM programs. Contact Becky Poitras at 816-285-3149 to arrange a pick-up or drop-off.

Stock donations and other appreciated securities are accepted. Contact Becky Poitras at 816-285-3149 for details.

In-kind donations including food, hygiene items, and gifts for the Christmas Store are accepted. New items only for the Christmas Store, dropped off at 3031 Holmes, Kansas City, MO. For Christmas Store donation questions, call 816-931-0027.

How to Join the Team?

Volunteers are needed Monday through Friday at the Central food pantry location. Volunteers help package and distribute food, assist with senior commodity box distribution, and support office tasks such as answering phones, filing documents, and data entry. Case management internships, event planning, and mentoring at-risk clients are also available.

To get started, contact Patricia at patriciahernandez@mlmkc.org or 816-285-3154. You can also fill out the volunteer sign-up form at mlmkc.org/volunteer/.