Immanuel Community Association

Nearly 24,000 neighbors in Wyandotte County, Kan. don’t know where their next meal is coming from.  

Immanuel Community Outreach Association is working to bridge the food insecurity gap.  

“Mostly our area is working poor,” said Deb Hartje, Immanuel Community Outreach Association managing director.  “People are able to take care of themselves but they just need a little bit of help to make it along the way.” 

Since the pandemic, it’s shifted to a mobile food distribution and is serving 400 families monthly, which is nearly double the number served from its previous indoor pantry. 

The distribution happens every Tuesday morning. 

“it’s just something to bridge the gap,  you know, with the foods I have at home.  I don’t eat much anyway so this helps me supplement what I’ve got at the house,” said food recipient Bob. 

Immanuel serves a diverse community and welcomes anyone needing assistance. 

“I would say to anyone who is needing help, it’s okay because everyone needs help at some point in time,” Hartje said. 

With fixed retiree incomes, health issues and a large family, the food this pantry provides is important for Carolyn’s family. 

“We get meat and vegetables and canned stuff.  It helps. Believe it or not it does help,” she said. 

Carolyn also shares the food she receives from the pantry with other neighbors in need. 

“It’s been a Godsend.  There’s a lot of people, even that come to our house, that don’t have stuff and need help that we help with and it is so appreciated,” said Carolyn. 

“Everything’s always welcome.  I appreciate anything that anybody would do,” said Bob. 

You can connect with Immanuel Community Outreach Association during its weekly mobile food distribution on Tuesdays from 9-11:30 a.m. at 3232 Metropolitan Ave. in Kansas City, Kan.