Grace in the Gap: Serving Hope to the Hungry

Did you know that 1 out of 8 Americans receive SNAP (or “food stamp”) benefits?

Or that in the Harvesters Service Area (which includes KC metro and as far west as Lawrence and Topeka) there are 200,000 people who receive SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits—88,000 of which are children? It’s currently uncertain whether SNAP funds will be distributed in November, but folks who rely on SNAP still need to put food on the table. While there are countless ways to contribute in your community, if you do a quick Google search, there are several ways you can help out right here at Village. There are also resources available here if you need assistance.

How Can I Help or Direct People to Help?

• Sponsor a Thanksgiving basket – Each year the Village Church Food Pantry distributes 500 Thanksgiving baskets to Pantry families. Your $50 donation will sponsor a Thanksgiving dinner with turkey and all the trimmings for a family of four. Donate here.
• Donate to the Food Pantry general fund – Village Food Pantry director Dennis Cobb and pantry volunteers report a large uptick in families needing food as well as a waiting list (beyond the anticipated 500 families) for the holiday meals they offer at Thanksgiving. According to Dennis, “Most pantries, including mine, are able to make your dollar go further than you can on your own. Plus, we can’t help our neighbors in need if we can’t keep the lights on.” Donate here to support the Food Pantry general fund.
• Donate food plus hygiene and cleaning products to the Food Pantry – In-kind support is always welcome at the Food Pantry and Clothes Closet. We accept more than just food! Here are some in-demand, non-perishable items you can drop off at any of our locations:
  • Pet food
  • Pasta and pasta sauce 
  • Canned or dried fruit
  • Pancake mix
  • Canned soup, chili, stew
  • Canned proteins (tuna, chicken, beans) 
  • Granola bars
  • Olive oil and cooking oils
  • Peanut butter
  • Toilet paper 
  • Household cleaning products
  • Baby formula
  • Diapers and baby wipes

Schedule an appointment for food and clothing assistance at the Village Food Pantry and learn more about the resources we offer.

• Grace in the Gap hot meals – Village staff quickly put together a plan called Grace in the Gap to offer prepared, heat-and-eat meals at the Food Pantry on Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (while supplies last) to any SNAP recipient. This will help reach folks who are already accustomed to visiting the Pantry and Clothes Closet for services. You can help fund this outreach. SNAP recipients are welcome to stop by for a meal during these hours.
• Emergency assistance fund – Village Church offers a limited amount of emergency rent or utility assistance to those who need temporary support. If you would like to contribute to this pool of funds, donate here. If you are in need of financial assistance for any reason, email and read more here.
• Adopt a Star Family for the holidays – Sponsor Christmas gifts and holiday meals for low-income and unhoused families through our annual partnership with Operation Breakthrough. Sign up here, and pick up your adopted family’s packet between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. this Sunday, Nov. 9, in Friendship Hall at our Mission Campus.
• Serve a Meal at Cross-Lines Community Kitchen – Every other month, Village Church serves a meal to 150-250 neighbors at the Cross-Lines Community Kitchen (718 Shawnee Ave., KCK). Sign up to join us on our next day, Friday, Nov. 14.

• Free Wednesday Night Dinners for furloughed workers – Village is offering federal workers who are furloughed, or working without pay, free hot dinners on Wednesdays. No need to register; just come to our Mission Campus at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday evenings (south entrance).

“The charitable food system in this country can never replace SNAP benefits… for every meal provided by the charitable sector, SNAP provides about nine meals. That’s a lot of ground for those of us who care about our food to make up! The time is now to take to heart the lesson of Matthew 25: ‘I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’” –Dennis Cobb, director, Village Church Food Pantry & Clothes Closet

The need is great, but your generosity proves to be greater. Thank you for supporting Village Presbyterian Church so we can support our neighbors in times of crisis.