Wichita region church assistance programs.
Operating across the greater Wichita area, including surrounding counties, there are numerous churches that help people of all religions. The charities provide various social services and emergency financial aid to the poor and low income. Most of what they offer is available as a last resort, so families and individuals need to be out of other options.
Many local churches and volunteers are part of the regional group. Together they work to help seniors and the working poor in the community. Some of the resources include food, free Christmas meals, and more. While not a common, some financial aid may be offered to help pay a portion of rent or an energy bill. Resources are available from churches in the Kansas counties of Butler, Harvey, Sedgwick, Sumner, and Kingman.
Holiday assistance is part of their Christmas Assistance Program. Churches in the area provide free holiday food, groceries and meals to qualified low-income families. It is available for clients as well as families that are referred from schools and diocesan parishes in the Wichita Kansas area. Each family receives winter warm goods (such as a coat or hat) and a free holiday meal box or basket.
They also partner with other non-profits such as Inter-Faith Ministries and the Salvation Army on providing toys, gifts, and clothing to children for Christmas.
A Food Pantry can provide groceries, perishable items and fruits or more. Churches of all different religions run service this to help those in need. Homeless families or individuals are also referred to local soup kitchens or meal sites.
The Daily Bread Pantry will offer free food. Many seek assistance due to a short term crisis such as job loss, illness or accident. The amount passed out is provided to households based on factors such as income as well as the number of people living in the home. The church based program can only be used at most once per month
Clients can use the pantry as a shopping experience or so called client choice. This means they can only select what they want or need, so it cuts down on waste. It also allows the Wichita Kansas family extreme flexibility in selecting only the food they want. It leads to enhanced health as well as clients can get healthier food options for their needs.
Much of the financial aid is offered in partnership with Southeast Kansas Services at Catholic Charities, or SEK. As funding allows, it offer assistance with paying utilities, rent, transportation (such as gasoline) and more. Clients also will be exposed to case management services.
Homeless prevention is offered by Southeast Kansas Services at churches and a partner known as the coalition of care. Together they offer assistance as a means of keeping people housed in their home or apartment.
The assistance program serves low income residents of the Wichita region who are unemployed, the working poor, or people facing a onetime crisis. There may be help for those who have been unable to work because of illness or disability. There may also be support for those receiving fixed incomes or limited government assistance. The focus is of churches in counties such as Sedgwick, Harvey, and Sumner is on preventing the situation from worsening.
One time rent or utility bill assistance will help people pay overdue electric or natural gas bills. There may also be funds to pay for rent to prevent an eviction. Each form of financial assistance from churches can be provided to an individual or family at most one time each year.
Case management services is offered at the same time as only emergency aid. The advice and support will help families, individuals and other clients identify root problems that led them to their hardship. Volunteers and staff from churches in Wichita or other towns in Kansas will address daily needs and provide referrals to non-profit community resources or public benefits. The case manager also works with clients to set goals and measure them. The objective is to get people on a path to self-sufficiency.
Free Gas Vouchers may be offered for job interview, work reasons, or for a medical appointment. They are limited, but they can help the disabled or sick that have a medical appointment out of town. Or gasoline may be issued so someone can get to a job until they get paid.
For more information on the programs above, the dial the United Way reference line at 211. Inquire into what is needed, and the family may be referred to a local church.
A key partner is Wellington Services. This church program will also assist individuals and families by issuing limited emergency financial assistance and case management services. The focus is on the elderly and disabled in the region.
The programs are mostly the same as above, with case management helping clients set long term goals. It includes employment, community involvement, socialization and educational programs. Other services in the greater Wichita region include transportation, care coordination, nursing services, free meals and a wide array of activities and outings.
They also offer Adult Day Services in Sedgwick County. Wellington is licensed as an adult care home and they also meet all the standards put into place by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services as well as the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Churches also offers an affordable, quality day program for senior citizens, adults, and the disabled as well. These programs are run from St. Anthony/St. Rose Church in the parish office. Address is 217 North C Street, Wellington, Kansas 67152, (620) 440-7861.
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