The excitement is hard to contain! Can you feel it?
In tackling hunger, there are many noticeable factors: location, accessibility, and most importantly, the needs of the community. With food insecurity on the rise, understanding and meeting the needs of our community – whether it is food, toiletries, or other day to day necessities – is fundamental. The pandemic has increased the number of families in need, and the rural areas of our service area do not receive the same amount of support as the KC and St. Joseph metro areas. Therefore, Catholic Charites of Kansas City- St. Joseph (CCKCSJ) has launched Serve & Lift Centers in Cameron and South KC. CCKCSJ will begin mobile food pantry outreach from our Cameron location beginning May 23.
According to Blake Haynes, of Second Harvest Food Bank, between Northwest Missouri and Northwest Kansas, “Buchanan County has the third highest percentage of the population [in 2021] that is food insecure at 16.5% in their 19-county service area.” They also had a projected childhood food insecurity rate [August 2020] of 26.4%”. Compared to 2018, the overall rate is up 2.5%, and for children, projected to increase by 9.2%.
Throughout the northern portion of our 27-county service area, our Cameron food distribution center provides families experiencing food insecurity much needed relief. The food distribution center offers proteins, fruits, vegetables, boxed and canned meals as well as basic hygiene items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, and soap. With just proof of an I.D. and residency, the food distribution center is available to everyone in need and it provides families enough food to last 30 days.
Catholic Charities online food pantry is based on a client-choice model, where families may choose their own food from available nutritious selections, and meet their own taste preferences, cultural dishes, and better manage chronic medical conditions that respond to a particular diet. This gift is truly transformative to our agency and those we serve. Anissa Parra-Grooms, Serve and Lift Center Food Pantry Program Manager, said “this shopping experience allows families to select from our online pantry, simply like they are placing any online order. They select what they need and check out.” Parra-Grooms will then call the family and confirm the pick-up location and time.
Using the Cameron Serve & Lift Center as a hub, we are honored to partner with several parishes to extend our reach to the NE and NW areas of our service area 1-2 days a week with our new van. The five parishes are: Mary Immaculate in Gallatin, St. Patrick’s and St. Charles Place in St. Joseph, Blessed Sacrament in Bethany, St. Patrick’s Mission in Forest City, and St. Joseph in Trenton. This service removes transportation as a barrier for families trying to access food. “With the van and the capacity it is able to hold, it will allow us to serve clients who walkup, while out at parishes and community centers. In anticipation for that, we prepare some extra bags and boxes.” Parra-Grooms said. She also explains we will not offer any direct delivery. Whether it is a window of time or a structured event, CCKCSJ will inform the community of the location, so families can set up appointments and CCKCSJ can be prepared for who may come.
Our Cameron Distribution Center and mobile outreach are just two of many examples of our mission of helping people move to a better life through hope-filled care, services, and advocacy- and calling those of goodwill to join us. We are honored to serve families in these communities, and to have the opportunity to reach even more families who need the assistance our programs can offer.
Our Northern Serve and Lift Center is located at 417 Northland Drive, Cameron, MO 64429. To shop online or to view our mobile outreach calendar for locations visit: serveandliftcenter.org For more information or questions, please email us at: pantry@ccharities.com or call us at: 816-608-8794.
This is wonderful!
Thank You
Thank you for this positive demonstration of love and good will in our communities. 👍❤️😊🙏
barannl85@gmail.com
Could really use the help. Going through a divorce and I have a fixed income.
Hello there, Thank you very much for reaching out to us. Please call us at 816.221.4377 (Kansas City office) or 816.232.2885 (Saint Joseph) to see how we can help you in this situation. I am very sorry to hear about this.
Praise The Lord !!! This Will Be Wonderful Feeding 8 People Is A Challenge With The High Prices
Does anyone deliver to my home. I have no food, I live by myself I have no transportation at all, I have made calls and I can’t get no help.
Sheri – please email us at assistance@cchariites.com or call us at – 816-221-4377
Hi i really need food for me n my child anything will help
Please call us at 816.929.1498 or email us at pantry@ccharities.com to see how we can help!
Hi my name is Charmane Alexandra Horton and I am looking for a free meal delivered to of my address of home because I do not have of any Present in my comfort of home
Charmane, we do not deliver meals to homes, but have pick up locations throughout our service area. Please call 816-929-1498 to see what is nearest you.
Do you allow homeless people in your food pantry. I have a brother in need of food at times and could let him know about your services.
Hi Teresa, we serve everyone that walks into our doors. Does he have any kind of identification? Email us at: pantry@ccharities.com