Feed the Need

Thousands of Wichitans rely on the generosity of others for holiday meals.

Wesley’s baby boy just arrived home from the hospital, and he’s already looking to make ends meet. But with his wife, Nancy, on disability and three other children at home, Wesley has a hard time paying the bills. He does his best by working on remodeling jobs with a friend. His family rents a home in the same neighborhood he’s lived in for 36 years. Struggling to support his family’s needs, he sometimes takes the family to The Lord’s Diner.

Every year, hundreds of families like Wesley’s rely on the generosity of other Wichitans for food through a host of local food banks, pantries and other nonprofit organizations. Despite the general perception, not everyone in need is homeless or jobless. In fact, over 58 percent of households that utilize pantries or soup kitchens have at least one source of income. “We serve anyone, no questions asked,” says Wendy Glick, executive director at the Lord’s Diner. The licensed restaurant serves about 12,000 meals a month. The diner is open daily from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., including on Thanksgiving, when turkey, green bean casserole, pumpkin pie and cranberry sauce hit the tables.

The Kansas Food Bank has been dishing it out since 1983 and now serves 86 counties in Kansas through about 400 agencies, from food pantries to shelters and soup kitchens. “Most agencies take care of additional needs during the holidays and most get all or part of their food from us,” says Larry Gunkel, programs manager at the Kansas Food Bank. One of those agencies is the Lord’s Diner, which requires about 50 volunteers a day and hit the 750,000-meal mark in August, after six years of service to impoverished citizens.

Another place where hungry families turn for meals is Bread of Life. The food pantry gives out groceries on Tuesdays, but there’s an extra giveaway for Thanksgiving on November 20 to provide ingredients for a traditional meal. Bread of Life usually gives out turkeys, but the supply hinges on donations. During the past 15 years, the number of people that visit Bread of Life has grown from 150 to more than 1,000. “We never turn anyone away,” says Donna Pinaire, director of Bread of Life. “We figure if they’re coming and waiting in line, they need food.” The Thanksgiving giveaway is roughly three times larger than the rest of the year.

A turkey and trimming drive is also an annual event for United Methodist Open Door. Now in its 16th year, the organizers have the routine down to a science. Collection sites like B98 FM’s studio and Tabor College accept donations, and United Methodist starts handing out food to families on the Monday before Thanksgiving. The Open Door ministry serves more than 2,346 families every week.

There is seemingly no end to the need. The Kansas Food Bank hands out 3,700 turkeys and more than 4,000 chickens during the holiday season, but they’d always like to give more. And the Lord’s Diner always needs volunteers to serve up daily bread. Low-income families appreciate such efforts. “We try to eat all of the food, no matter what they’ve got,” says Wesley. For families like Wesley’s, a warm holiday meal is reason enough to be thankful.


Stocking Up
No matter where you live, there’s a food pantry or organization nearby that can use your help. Here are just a few:

Kansas Food Bank 316-265-4421, 1919 E Douglas

The Lord’s Diner 316-266-4966, 520 N. Broadway

Bread of Life 316-689-6866, 2825 S. Hillside

United Methodist Open Door 316-267-4201, 1611 N. Mosley

E.S.S. Venture House 316-269-4160, 233 S. St. Francis

La Familia Senior Community Center 316-267-1700, 841 W 21st St N

Communities in Schools 316-973-5110, 412 S. Main, Suite 212

Salvation Army 316-263-2769, 350 N. Market 253-4561

Holy Savior God’s Food Pantry 316-263-6780, 1207 N. Indiana

Arc of Sedgwick County 316-943-1191, 2919 West Second

Breakthrough Club 316-269-2534, PO Box 47563

Catholic Charities Emergency Services 316-264-8344, 437 N. Topeka

YMCA 219-9622, 3330 N. Woodlawn