Volunteering across the map

As the holidays draw near, organizations like Harvesters and Hands to Hearts are in need of volunteers.

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A Harvesters banner advertises their location in Kansas City. Harvesters functions with the help of volunteers as well as employees. photo by Anna Hafner

December 6, 2015

story by Alex Davis

According to the Missouri Key Findings Hunger in America Report for 2014, nearly 1.2 million people receive emergency food assistance and other necessities annually through the Missouri food bank network. These programs see per month thousands of people who are poor or homeless and in need of assistance. Many of these programs rely solely on volunteer services. The Hunger in America Report states that 44% of agencies have no full time staff, and that 44% report difficulty in obtaining volunteers. For students looking to spend their holiday break out in the community, the Dart has compiled a list of different organizations needing help this holiday season.

Bishop Sullivan Center

  • Main Location: 6435 Truman Road Kansas City, MO 64126
  • Other Locations:
    • 3936 Troost, Kansas City, MO 64110
    • 2220 Central, Kansas City, KS 66102
  • Contact Information:
  • Volunteers can work in one of the pantries, assist in the offices, and help with job placement.

“Our mission is to provide basic necessities to people who are unable to do so, and to assist those who are able, to become financially self-sufficient by finding employment.”

Created in 1972 under the name Cooperative Social Services, the Center originally started out as a food pantry and limited utility assistance for families in need. Now they provide numerous services to their community. The Cooperative Social Services name was changed to Bishop John Sullivan, former bishop of the Kansas City-St. Joseph Catholic Diocese because of his concern for the poor.

Hands to Hearts

  • 9007A W 51st Terr, Merriam, KS 66203
  • Contact Information:
  • Volunteers can help pack BackSnacks, help with the Bookmobile, work at the Clothing Closet, as well as provide donations.

“Hands to Hearts is an entirely volunteer non-profit organization. Our greatest asset is volunteers with willing hearts who want to make a difference. The volunteer opportunities are many. Come work together for the Good.”

Hands to Hearts started out as a group of people in Shawnee, KS that formed in 2009. The group was small, but they wanted to aid their community, so they provided (and continue to provide) weekend backpacks of food for students in the area.

Harvesters

  • 3802 Topping Avenue, Kansas City, MO, 64129
  • Contact Information:
  •  Volunteers can make food or money donations or volunteer at the Harvesters facility.

“Since it’s founding, Harvesters distributes millions of pounds of food to its agencies, bringing food directly to the poor. In 2014 alone, Harvesters distributed 39 million meals to those who were hungry in the Kansas – Missouri region.”

Harvesters formed in the late 1970’s when concerned members of the Kansas City community were working to feed the hungry. These community members had found that much of the food at the time ended up in landfills, so they came together to serve the poor and hungry. The group they started soon became to be known as Harvesters – The Community Food Network.

Seton Center

  • 2816 East 23rd Street, Kansas City, MO, 64127
  • Contact Information:
  • Volunteers can bring in donations, aid in the food pantry, or help out with the Christmas Sharing Program by preparing toy bags, food boxes, and clothing distributions.

“Seton Center is a Catholic-sponsored human service agency that helps people break cycles of poverty. Seton Center provides dental, social and educational programs to address current community needs, and tools to help support people in transforming their lives.”

The Seton Center was founded in 1969 by the Daughters of Charity and Ladies of Charity of Metropolitan Kansas City. In the beginning, Seton Center addressed the needs of the elderly, but now they have evolved into a neighborhood center focused on the needs of the community.

Hope Faith Ministries

  • 705 Virginia Avenue, Kansas City, MO, 64106
  • Contact Information:
  • Volunteers can help prepare meals, provide clothing and hygiene products, teach others how to sew, aid in the community garden, as well as work in donation drives.

“The mission of Hope Faith Ministries is to share the love of Christ by providing basic human needs including food, clothing, medical and social service intervention. Through His example and provision we will strive provide services to facilitate self-sufficient and independent living in an environment which promotes personal dignity.”

Hope Faith Ministries was established in 2004 with a goal to aid the homeless and poor in KC’s urban location.

Other Volunteer Locations:

  • Better Living Center
  • Rightway Food Pantry
  • Blue Hills Family Life Center Food Pantry
  • St. James Place
  • Salvation Army
photos by Anna Hafner

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