FIGHTING HUNGER – FOOD INSECURITY and HOMELESSNESS in Kansas City

Article by Dave Eckert

Hunger, food insecurity, and homelessness are three of the biggest health challenges facing our country right now, and Kansas City is certainly not exempt from any of those challenges. But thanks to the work of many local organizations, progress is being made. Today, I’ll focus on three groups in the KC metro dedicated to making people’s lives better.

I’ll start with Hope Faith, where I visited with Katie Carlson, Hope Faith’s Development and Marketing Coordinator. ”Hope Faith, with its mission pillars of Care, Rest, and Work, is the only low-barrier Homelessness Assistance Campus in Greater Kansas City. Hope Faith’s fundamental principle is to help our homeless guests reclaim their dignity and stability through mental, emotional, and spiritual support,” Carlson shared.
Carlson told me that Hope Faith provides basic necessities, including nutritious meals, showers, mail service, and haircuts, while also empowering individuals experiencing homelessness and at-risk people to become self-sufficient and independent.
Hope Faith’s numbers are both impressive and alarming. Impressive for how much help they provide, and alarming because no matter how much is accomplished, there is always much more to achieve. “On average, we serve about 200 people each day. In 2025, we averaged 4,033 duplicated individuals per month. Over the course of the year, we served 4,145 unduplicated individuals a total of 50,396 times. We served 116,986 meals in 2025!” Carlson exclaimed.
You can learn more by visiting www.hopefaith.org, following them on social media @hopefaithkc on all platforms, signing up for their newsletter and email updates, or coming in for a tour.

Hunger, food insecurity, and basic health needs are increasingly in demand for another segment of our population-the elderly. That is where Kansas City Shepherd’s Center focuses its efforts. There, I visited with Janet Baker, the Center’s Executive Director. “We are a local nonprofit 501C-3 organization that provides essential support allowing older adults to remain safe, healthy, and socially connected in their own homes. Since 1972, KCSC has been the only Jackson County nonprofit organization exclusively serving Kansas City’s older adult community, more than 3,000 each year,” Baker stated.
Hunger is a disproportionate problem among the elderly nationwide. Baker says it is even more glaring in Kansas City. “One in eight older adults are going hungry in KC compared to one in 15 nationwide. More than 30,000 older adults in Kansas City are hungry. We have enough food to feed our food-insecure seniors,” says Baker. “We don’t have a supply problem. We have a funding and distribution problem. Kansas City does big things. We win Super Bowls, host the World Cup, raise $5 million in a weekend with the Big Slick for Children’s Mercy Hospital- all great things. But we have to ask, can we do the small things? We have the infrastructure and the capacity to provide a daily well check and a hot meal to a homebound and hungry senior for the cost of a couple lattes or a glass of wine at your favorite restaurant.” Baker shared.
So, how can people learn more and potentially become involved? First, visit www.kcshepherdscenter.org, and more, says
Baker. “Donate. Volunteer. SHOW UP FOR SENIORS. And, nominate someone for 70 over 70 at KC Shepherd’s Center 2026 70 over 70 Nomination Form!”

Finally, from Jewish Family Services, an organization providing assistance across the broad platform of services. I asked Maggie Haghirian, Chief Program Officer for JFS to tell me about their efforts to fight hunger through their local food pantries. “At JFS, we view food insecurity as more than just a lack of groceries; it’s a matter of dignity. We use a client-choice model in our on-site locations, which allows individuals to select their own food rather than receiving a pre-packed bag. This respects personal preferences and cultural needs. By providing a welcoming environment, we turn a moment of crisis into a point of connection where we can also offer wider support like case management or mental health services,” Haghirian stated.
Jewish Family Services operates two primary food pantries-one in Brookside and the second at the Jewish Community Campus in Overland Park. Collectively, Haghirian told me these locations serve around 500 families each month. But the assistance doesn’t end there. “Beyond our physical locations, we extend our reach through six strategic community partnerships. For these partners, we provide specialized monthly food boxes tailored to meet the specific cultural and dietary preferences of their unique populations, ensuring that our support is as effective as it is accessible,” Haghirian shared.
Haghirian says everyone can help. “You don’t need significant wealth to make a difference. Whether you choose to volunteer with JFS, host a neighborhood food drive to spread the word, or donate proceeds from a creative fundraiser, your involvement helps us provide our neighbors. We invite you to join our mission. Every hour volunteered, and every item donated helps bring stability to a family in need!”
To learn more about how you can get involved, please visit them at www.jfskc.org. Together, we can all make a difference!