If you’re searching for food assistance in Kansas, you’re not alone. The state is home to numerous food banks that provide essential resources to individuals and families in need. Below is a comprehensive list of food banks across Kansas, offering support and nourishment to help you get through tough times.
Harvesters – The Community Food Network
Harvesters – The Community Food Network is a regional food bank serving northeast Kansas and northwest Missouri. As a member of Feeding America, it provides food and related household products to more than 760 nonprofit agencies, including food pantries, community kitchens, and shelters. The organization focuses on alleviating hunger through food distribution, education, and advocacy efforts, ensuring that people in need have access to nutritious meals.
- Location: 215 SE Quincy St., Topeka, KS 66603
- Service Counties: Johnson, Leavenworth, Wyandotte, Atchison, Douglas, Franklin, Miami, Shawnee, Jefferson, Jackson, Nemaha, Brown, Doniphan, Pottawatomie
- Contact Number: (785) 861-7700
- Website: harvesters.org
Kansas Food Bank
The Kansas Food Bank provides hunger-relief services to individuals and families across Kansas. Partnering with over 700 charities, including food pantries, shelters, and soup kitchens, the food bank distributes millions of pounds of food annually. It also operates specialized programs, such as Food 4 Kids and the Bob Box senior program, to address specific needs within the community, ensuring that no one in Kansas goes hungry.
- Location: 1919 E Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67211
- Service Counties: Allen, Anderson, Barton, Bourbon, Butler, Chase, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Cheyenne, Clark, Clay, Cloud, Coffey, Comanche, Cowley, Crawford, Decatur, Dickinson, Doniphan, Douglas, Edwards, Elk, Ellis, Ellsworth, Finney, Ford, Franklin, Geary, Gove, Graham, Grant, Gray, Greeley, Greenwood, Hamilton, Harper, Harvey, Haskell, Hodgeman, Jackson, Jefferson, Jewell, Johnson, Kearny, Kingman, Kiowa, Labette, Lane, Leavenworth, Lincoln, Linn, Logan, Lyon, Marion, Marshall, McPherson, Meade, Miami, Mitchell, Montgomery, Morris, Morton, Nemaha, Neosho, Ness, Norton, Osage, Osborne, Ottawa, Pawnee, Phillips, Pottawatomie, Pratt, Rawlins, Reno, Republic, Rice, Riley, Rooks, Rush, Russell, Saline, Scott, Sedgwick, Seward, Shawnee, Sheridan, Sherman, Smith, Stafford, Stanton, Stevens, Sumner, Thomas, Trego, Wabaunsee, Wallace, Washington, Wichita, Wilson, Woodson, Wyandotte
- Contact Number: (316) 265-3663
- Website: kansasfoodbank.org
Second Harvest Community Food Bank
Second Harvest Community Food Bank serves both northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas, focusing on alleviating hunger through community engagement, food distribution, and education. As a member of Feeding America, it collaborates with local agencies to provide food assistance to those in need, addressing hunger through direct service programs and partnerships with area food pantries and shelters.
- Location: 915 Douglas St, St. Joseph, MO 64505
- Service Counties: Doniphan (KS), Atchison (KS), Brown (KS), Nodaway (MO), Andrew (MO), Buchanan (MO), Clinton (MO), DeKalb (MO), Holt (MO), Worth (MO)
- Contact Number: (816) 364-3663
- Website: ourcommunityfoodbank.org
- Note: Although based in Missouri, Second Harvest serves several counties in Kansas.
Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas
Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas offers a wide range of services, including food assistance, to help individuals and families in need. Through its network of food pantries and mobile resource buses, the organization provides essential support to communities across northeast Kansas. Their services extend beyond food distribution, offering holistic care aimed at improving the overall well-being of their clients.
- Location: 9720 W. 87th St., Overland Park, KS 66212
- Service Counties: Johnson, Wyandotte, Leavenworth, Douglas, Franklin, Shawnee, Jefferson, Nemaha, Brown, Doniphan, Jackson, Pottawatomie
- Contact Number: (913) 433-2100
- Website: catholiccharitiesks.org
Salina Emergency Aid/Food Bank
The Salina Emergency Aid/Food Bank provides emergency food assistance to individuals and families in the Salina area. The organization operates a client-choice food pantry, allowing people to select items that best meet their dietary needs. In addition to food, the organization offers other forms of emergency assistance, such as utility payments and prescription aid, to help clients stabilize their situations.
- Location: 255 S. Chicago St., Salina, KS 67401
- Service Counties: Saline, Dickinson, Ottawa, Ellsworth, Lincoln
- Contact Number: (785) 827-7111
Topeka Rescue Mission
Topeka Rescue Mission offers food and shelter services to individuals experiencing homelessness or food insecurity in the Topeka area. The organization operates a food pantry, daily meal services, and other emergency support programs aimed at providing immediate relief. In addition to addressing basic needs, the mission offers programs focused on long-term recovery and self-sufficiency.
- Location: 600 N Kansas Ave, Topeka, KS 66608
- Service Counties: Shawnee
- Contact Number: (785) 354-1744
- Website: trmonline.org
Catholic Charities of Southwest Kansas
Catholic Charities of Southwest Kansas provides a variety of services, including food assistance, to support individuals and families in need across the region. The organization operates food pantries and collaborates with local parishes to distribute food and other essentials. Their mission extends to addressing broader social issues, offering programs that promote stability and self-reliance.
- Location: 906 Central Ave, Dodge City, KS 67801
- Service Counties: Ford, Finney, Gray, Hodgeman, Meade, Clark, Seward, Stevens, Morton
- Contact Number: (620) 227-1562
- Website: catholicsocialservice.org
Emporia Rescue Mission
Emporia Rescue Mission provides food, shelter, and support services to individuals facing homelessness or food insecurity in Emporia and surrounding areas. The mission operates a food pantry, daily meal services, and emergency shelter, focusing on meeting the immediate needs of those in crisis while also offering pathways to recovery and independence.
- Location: 1119 Merchant St., Emporia, KS 66801
- Service Counties: Lyon, Coffey, Greenwood, Morris, Chase, Osage
- Contact Number: (620) 342-3355
How Kansas Food Banks Operate
Kansas food banks work as central hubs that collect, store, and distribute food to local agencies and organizations, such as food pantries, shelters, and community kitchens. These food banks receive donations from a variety of sources, including grocery stores, food manufacturers, farmers, and community food drives. Once the food is collected, it is sorted, inspected, and stored in large warehouses.
The food banks then distribute the food to partner agencies across the state, ensuring it reaches individuals and families in need. Many food banks also operate mobile food pantries and special programs, such as school-based food initiatives and senior food boxes, to serve those who may not be able to visit a traditional pantry.
How to Donate to Food Banks in Kansas
- Monetary Donations: Financial contributions are the most effective way to support food banks. Your donation allows food banks to purchase food in bulk, ensuring they can provide nutritious meals to those in need.
- Food Donations: Donating non-perishable food items directly to your local food bank or organizing a community food drive are excellent ways to contribute. Commonly needed items include canned vegetables, soups, pasta, rice, and boxed meals.
- Volunteer Your Time: Volunteers are the backbone of food bank operations. You can help by sorting food, packing boxes, assisting with distribution, or even supporting administrative tasks.
- Corporate Giving and Partnerships: Businesses can support food banks through corporate donations, matching gift programs, and by forming partnerships that provide food, resources, or services.
- Planned Giving: Consider including a food bank in your estate planning to ensure your support continues for years to come. Planned giving options include bequests, trusts, and charitable gift annuities.
Importance of Kansas Food Banks
Food banks play a crucial role in Kansas by addressing food insecurity and ensuring that all residents have access to nutritious food. They serve as a lifeline for thousands of individuals and families who might otherwise go hungry, especially during times of economic hardship or emergency situations.
Beyond meeting immediate needs, Kansas food banks also contribute to the overall health and well-being of the community. By providing access to healthy food, they help reduce the risk of chronic diseases and promote better outcomes for children and seniors. Moreover, food banks often offer additional resources, such as nutrition education and job training programs, to help individuals move towards self-sufficiency.