The Kansas Food Bank relies on our network of partner food pantries and organizations to reach and feed food insecure Kansans in their neighborhoods, working with over 30 local pantries in the Wichita area alone. As part of their gift announced on Giving Tuesday, Cargill Cares has again this year dedicated $50,000 to be awarded to a number of our partner agencies at the Kansas Food Bank who serve our food insecure neighbors in and around Wichita. Many of our agencies were invited to apply, and after careful consideration by our wonderful committee, we are incredibly proud to announce that twelve local Wichita agencies have been awarded!
Read more about each of the recipients and what the funding will mean to their organizations and those they serve below.
Dear Neighbor Ministries
Location: 1329 S Bluffview Dr
Households Served Monthly: 375
Grant Amount: $1,924
“Over the course of the past year, the number of monthly visitors to our food pantry has more than doubled, resulting in a corresponding increase in the amount we spend each week on food to stock our pantry. This generous gift from Cargill Cares will cover the cost of about two weeks of food for us. We are grateful to Cargill Cares for supporting our mission!”
-Jason West, Executive Director of Dear Neighbor
Left to Right: Jeremiah Ortiz, Carmen Brooks, Jason West
Learn more about Dear Neighbor Ministries here.
Living Water Ministries
Location: 431 S Lula St
Households Served Monthly: 500
Grant Amount: $2,974
“We thank Cargill for this gift which will help our launch of an emphasis on healthy food choices. The opportunity to make healthy food choices has often been out of reach for many families and you are helping to make that possible. Cargill’s enduring commitment to helping prevent hunger through your partnership with Kansas Food Bank, enabling their partnership with Living Waters Ministries and many other food pantries has made such a difference in countless lives. You have been a driving force behind our success. We look forward to strenghtening our partnership in the years to come.”
-Larry Lane, Living Waters Ministries
Left to Right: Volunteers at Living Waters Ministries’ weekly distribution
Learn more about Living Waters Ministries here.
Old Time Gospel Baptist Church Food Pantry
Location: 2552 N Jackson
Households Served Monthly: 300
Grant Amount: $2,024
“We want to thank Cargill to show appreciation for the grant that we received to help the families in our area here at Old Time Gospel Food Pantry. We here at the food pantry help 150 to 200 families each month. We are very much appreciative of the help we have received from Cargill and from the Kansas Food Bank.”
-Darlene Bromley, Pantry Director
Left to Right: Dixie Carman (Volunteer), Darlene Bromley (Pantry Director)
Passageways
Grant Amount: $2,560
“This grant is a crucial lifeline, especially given the rising food prices. Thanks to Cargill’s support, we can sustain our commitment to providing top-notch products to the veterans we serve. Their well-being remains our priority!”
-Susan Moellinger, Co-Founder Passageways
Left to Right: Jennifer Garrison, Susan Moellinger
Learn more about Passageways here.
Table of Hope (First Metropolitan Community Church)
Location: 156 S Kansas St
Households Served Monthly: 1,200
Grant Amount: $7,974
“Even a tiny spark can light the way. This gift is the spark that feeds the folks at Table of Hope. Thank you, Cargill!”
-Jackie Carter, Executive Director of Table of Hope
Left to Right: John Ramey, Robert Snearly, Connie Frederking, Bianca Johnson, Gayle Dinwiddie, Jackie Carter, Mary Huff, Claudia Griffith
Learn more about Table of Hope here.
Madison Ave Fresh Start Pantry
Location: 1740 N Madison Ave
Grant Amount: $3,874
“Thanks to the generous support of Cargill Cares and the Kansas Food Bank, our Fresh Start food pantry can continue its vital mission of nourishing our community, transforming food deserts into oases of hope. Together, we’re not just providing sustenance, but also cultivating empowerment through access to fresh, nutritious produce, ensuring that every individual can thrive.”
-Pastor Chalmers Richardson, Madison Ave Fresh Start Pantry
Left to Right: Nathaniel Price, Coletha Price, Terri Bruce, Patsy Martin, Janice McLaurin, Andy Scruggs, Chalmers Richardson
New Beginnings SDA
Location: 209 W 21st St
Households Served Monthly: 160
Grant Amount: $2,174
This gift means we are able to purchase more food that we might not be able to afford otherwise. This is such a great, great blessing for us. God has just continued to bless us, so we share these blessings with our neighbors.”
-Joyce Garrett, New Beginnings
Left to Right: Joyce Garrett, Bruce Chapelin, Audley Loftman, Calvin Johnson, Barbara Peters, Rickey Smith
Andover Community Food Bank
Location: 1429 N Andover Rd, Andover
Kids Served Weekly: 190
Grant Amount: $3,574
“We want to thank Cargill for their generous grant for our Andover Summer Lunch Program. Thank you for helping us make a difference through your donation. With the assistance from Cargill, we can achieve a positive impact in our community. The Summer Lunch program is intended to assist those in our community that are the most vulnerable – our children. Thank you again for your generosity.”
-Mistee Boatright, Board Chair
Left to Right: Angie Funk (Executive Director, Pantry), Andrea Treptow (Assistant Executive Director, Pantry), Mistee Boatright (Chair, Board of Directors)
Learn more about the Andover Community Food Bank here.
Our Daily Bread – Catholic Charities
Location: 2825 S Hillside
Households Served Monthly: 1,151
Grant Amount: $6,400
“We are truly thankful to Cargill for awarding $6,400 to Our Daily Bread Food Pantry. Providing hope and assisting those with food insecurities is only possible with the support from individuals and organizations like Cargill. This gift will provide a variety of food items, including fresh and canned fruits and vegetables, rice, pasta, and other proteins to serve those in need.”
-Traci Kennedy, Executive Director of Catholic Charities
Left to Right: Jim Reid, Jackie Menefee, Warren Retzlaff, Derrick Tyler (Pantry Director), Mike Floodman, Jim Moore, Ted Lewis, David Silhan, Marge Retzlaff
Learn more about Our Daily Bread here.
The Lord’s Pantry at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church
Location: 2007 N Arkansas
Households Served Monthly: 385
Grant Amount: $5,874
We are extremely grateful for the grant we are receiving from Cargill Cares. We are excited about the possibilities we have for helping those in our neighborhood and community. Thank you for your support and for joining us in our mission to feed the hungry.”
-Kim Decker, Pantry Director
Left to Right: Frank Sullivan, Brent Houchen, Andre Thibault, Sarah Sturgill, Kim Decker, Marsha Grooms
Bread of Life
Location: 1301 E Galena
Households Served Monthly: 3,200
Grant Amount: $8,474
“We’d like to express our sincere appreciation for the grant we received at the Bread of Life. It will help with the growing need for food in the Wichita and surrounding areas. On a week to week basis, we are able to provide a generous amount of food to those in need. Along with giving food, and with the help of our many selfless volunteers, we focus on demonstrating the love of Christ through prayer and kindness.”
-Bill & Becky Milner, Bread of Life Co-Directors
Left to Right: Volunteers at Bread of Life’s weekly Tuesday distribution
Learn more about Bread of Life here.
Hillside Christian Church Food Pantry
Location: 8330 E Douglas Ave
Households Served Monthly: 168
Grant Amount: $2,174
“We started small as a Food Pantry and became a community. We offer coffee and snacks, and we’ve grown to include free refurbished bicycles and free clothing, household items, and books, in addition to being able to maintain the same amount of food despite the rising costs. The Cargill Cares grant makes this even more attainable and comes at the perfect time. We give thanks to God for building our ministry, providing us with volunteers, placing amazing people at the Food Bank, and the blessing of Cargill Cares’ dedication to those in need in Wichita.”
-Juanita Lynn Lear, Hillside Christian Pantry Director
Left to Right: Volunteers at Hillside Christian’s weekly Thursday distribution