WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – The holiday season is the busiest time of year for charities in the Wichita area that distribute food.
One of those charities is United Methodist Open Door. Executive Director Deann Smith says the need for food has never been greater.
“With the changes with the COVID and the ARPA money running out, we don’t have the same resources heading into this holiday that we once had.”
Even though Open Door just recently received a shipment of food, Smith says it will be mostly gone by Thanksgiving. Open Door plans to serve 2,300 families in the three days leading up to Thanksgiving.
The same is true at the Salvation Army.
“We are seeing a huge increase in the number of people coming to us for assistance,” says Associate Area Commander for South Central Area Salvation Army Major Nancy Powers. “The biggest need we’re seeing right now is literally for our food pantry.”
One of the Salvation Army pantries with the biggest need for food is the Citadel Corps at 1739 S Elpyco St. where the shelves haven’t been fully stocked with food in years.
“I think the last time that we felt like we had enough was toward the end of the pandemic,” says Salvation Army Captain Scott Parnell. “Since then we’ve seen three times the amount of people that have come in.”
Because of the need, both the Salvation Army and Open Door say they need donations. They accept food like canned fruit, canned vegetables, and soups. You can also donate financially.
To donate to or volunteer at the Salvation Army you can visit salvationarmyks.org.
Donation and volunteer information for Open Door is available at umopendoor.org/how-you-can-help.
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