Across the country, the demand for food assistance is rising as more families struggle to keep up with the cost of living. Center of Grace, a United Way Impact 100 partner, saw this reemerging need in the community and decided to reopen its food pantry after 12 years. The organization works to offer a safe space of hospitality for all and remove barriers for individuals to bridge out of poverty.
“In the first four months of this year, we saw an increase in food insecurity more than we had seen in the last ten years,” said Jessica Ferrell, Operations Director at Center of Grace. “We’ve also seen a really big decrease in referral partners that we can send people to just because they have less resources now.”
Nonprofit organizations and resources in the surrounding area that previously offered food assistance have dissolved due to funding cuts, leading to Center of Grace relaunching this resource for neighbors in need in June of 2025. The program targets families in Olathe with children on free and reduced lunch, which is the single qualifier to receive the resource.
“We saw a 33.2% increase on the number of students served in our Back-to-School event this year, which I think is very indicative and eye opening to what’s going on in the community and how people are feeling the effects of inflation, changes to social service programs, and access to resources,” said Ferrell.
With all the communities Center of Grace serves, one of the core goals for the pantry is ensuring the food options are nutritious and culturally inclusive. Within the last four weeks, 248 people have visited the pantry to supply their homes with healthy foods that are inclusive for their family.
“We let them go shopping for the items, so they get to pick out what is appropriate and inclusive for their family,” said Ferrell. “What they usually would feed their children or what they would usually cook with.”
To better understand the food preferences of the diverse communities they serve, Center of Grace pulled clients to ask what items they would like, what are their staples, or what would be helpful for their household. In addition, they reached out to minority-owned businesses to ask the same questions. With their input, the organization has identified culturally inclusive food options for the wide variety of neighbors they serve. Items such as maseca and atta for flour, protein options like halal meat and non-meat alternatives, rice options like basmati or enriched white, couscous or Italian pasta, and more.
The food pantry is open on Wednesday evenings starting at 5pm and families can call to make a 15-minute appointment. When they arrive, they are greeted by a volunteer, checked in, and verified for qualification. Then, a volunteer takes them shopping through the food pantry’s market setup, with number of items dependent on family size.
For families with students either experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness who attend Impact Olathe, a biweekly event on Tuesday mornings that takes place onsite at Center of Grace, the food pantry is open for them to do their first month of shopping as well.
“We have an open-door policy. Everyone is welcome here and we do not ask or care where you’re from, what experiences you’ve had in your life,” shared Ferrell. “We have worked really hard over 25 years to create this space that is full of dignity and hospitality for anyone who walks in the door, no matter who they are.”
The food pantry is part of Center of Grace’s core mission of removing barriers that keep individuals in poverty. Beyond addressing food insecurity, the organization also provides many other resources, from workforce development and educational courses to childcare support and much more.
“This is targeting families with kids. You know, if you’re hungry, you’re not going to be able to pay attention in school. If you are worried about how you’re going to feed your kids, then of course you’re not going to have the capacity to go and do a self-sufficiency program or to focus on other needs that you have in your family,” said Ferrell.
Partnerships with organizations like United Way, Boys and Girls Club, Great Jobs KC, and countless more support Center of Grace’s mission through resource sharing and donations. Local food drives and business donations support the food pantry, like Olathe-based Pakistani restaurant Sohaila’s Kitchen who donated food items for the organization’s South Asian, Middle Eastern, and North African families.
Serving 30,000 individuals a year and with an office staff of four, Center of Grace relies on the support of our community. Whether it’s volunteering, donating, or attending events like their upcoming annual fundraiser on October 24th, every action makes a difference. In addition, businesses can support through long-term partnerships with not only the organization’s food pantry, but with the variety of other programs it serves as well.
Together, we can build a future where access to healthy food and stability is not a privilege, but a guarantee for all. Learn more about Center of Grace and how you can get involved with their organization here.