By, Eileen M., Ramon E., Julie V., Ariel B. and Viridiana S.

History United Methodist Open Door began in 1965 by the name of The

United Methodist Urban Ministry of Wichita under the leadership of Reverend Gene Seely. It was created by a group of Methodist clergy and laity who wanted to do something to resolve the issues of poverty and the issues of racial justice.

Open door has been serving the community for 49 years. They had many programs such as:

Medical and dental care

Hispanic Ministry program

Employment assistance

Emergency rent

Utility assistance

Clothing programs

Food programs

Shelter options

Continued…. Although some of the programs are still available at Open

Door, others have become free standing organizations or have been taken by other agencies.

It wasn’t until 2007 when they decided to change the name to The United Methodist Open Door to better reflect their mission to provide food, clothing and shelter to the 11 counties they serve. Butler, Chautauqua, Cowley, Harper, Harvey, Kingman,  Pratt, Reno, Sedgwick, Stafford, and Sumner.

In 2009, they launched a $5.4 million capital campaign to develop a Resource and Referral Center to serve the needs of homeless individuals and families, and those living in poverty. The campaign, chaired by Steve Martens, CEO of the Martens Companies, received significant community-wide support from the faith community, individuals and families, local corporations, national and local charitable foundations, and local government. They successfully completed the campaign in late 2011.

Programs

Today, Open Door serves approximately 38,210 unduplicated people each year through six programs located at three sites: Community Food Ministry Klothes Kloset Homeless Resource center Commodity Supplemental Food Program Vision Quest homeless prevention

They are also about to the 24th Annual Turkey Drive hosted by B98-FM/I Hearth Radio. They receive donations and provide a Thanksgiving dinner for families.

Community Food Ministry

This is the location we visited. United Methodist Open Door Inc. It’s located at 1611 N. Mosley, Wichita K.S. 67214Phone: 316.267.4201Food distribution hours: Mon.-Fri.: 9am-11:45am; 1pm-3:45pmBusiness hours: 8:30am-4:30pmCheryl Stevenson is the Community Services Director

Community Food Ministry It is the largest community–wide food box program in the area

providing nutritionally balanced emergency food assistance once per month for individuals and families in need.

The food box includes:

canned fruits

vegetables

meat

eggs

macaroni and cheese

soup

Bread

In 2013, the Community Food Ministry served 26,682 food boxes, representing 19,146 unduplicated individuals.

Community Food Ministry

The Community Food Ministry works very closely with the Kansas Food Bank. The KFB, is one of their most valuable partners.

Kansas Food Bank is a food warehouse and it distributes to food pantries in the state, including The Community Food Ministry. Then The CFM distributes the foods from KFB, and from other sources, directly to individuals and families in need.

Approximately 42% of the food the Community Food Ministry distributes comes from their partner the Kansas Food Bank, both through their donated and purchased food programs and the rest comes from monetary and food donations.

Eligibility Individuals and Families must qualify at 130% of the Federal

poverty level, based on the Monthly Income Guidelines.

To apply, you will need to provide the following information:

Verification of all household gross monthly income. They will accept your most recent Social Security statement, Pay Stub/Earnings Statement, or an unemployment letter. If you have special circumstances such as large recurring medical expenses, it will be considered in meeting income requirements. They will have you call ahead to discuss with the Community Service Director, 316.267.4201.

Proof of Identity for all members of the household. We accept driver’s license, Kansas ID Card, Social Security Care, Birth Certificate, Immunization Card, or a Military ID Card.

Proof of address (CFM is a residence based food program, homeless individuals are referred to Open Door Homeless Resource Center for assistance.) They will accept a utility bill or letter that has been mailed to you.

Monthly Income GuidelinesHousehold Size Maximum Monthly Gross

Income

1 $1,265

2 $1,705

3 $2,144

4 $2,584

5 $3,024

6 $3,464

7 $3,904

8 $4,344

For each additional family member add

$440

Klothes Kloset The Klothes Kloset

provides free clothing to infants, children and adults of any age.

All of the clothing is in good condition and clean.

The clothing is donated by the generosity of individuals, businesses, the faith community, and others.

They accept all kind of donations, such as:

Small household appliances

Board games or any kind of games

Bedding

Hats and gloves

Coats, etc.

They are currently not accepting kids toys due to federal regulations regarding lead.

Commodity Supplemental Food Program

A monthly food box program for income eligible elders age 60+. This program’s food is provided by USDA through the State of Kansas and may include such items as:

canned juice

Fruit

Vegetables

milk & meat

peanut butter or dry beans

Cereal

macaroni or rice

2 pounds of cheese

This is for each family member who qualifies by age and income.

In 2012, the CSFP served 20,693 food boxes to 2,542 unduplicated individuals in the 12 county area

Vision Quest Homeless Prevention

Vision Quest is a program designed to prevent homelessness and help families break out of the cycle of poverty.

VQ case managers make home visits often or as needed to assist the family in developing a family work plan. Full time employment and long term self-sufficiency are the main goals. Families may remain in the program for up to two years.

VQ case managers may assist the client with the following:

Basic family needs

Locating job training

Obtaining employment

Accessing other community services

Learning coping skills and money management

Mentoring

Helping the family through crisis

Breaking the cycles that keep the family dependent upon public assistance.

In February of 2012 they opened The Center.

Located at 402 E. 2nd Street in the heart of downtown Wichita.

It is home to:

The Homeless Resource Center

Klothes Kloset

Vision Quest homeless prevention program

administrative offices

Open Door’s programs, along with on-site services of COMCARE Center City, GraceMed Clinic, Hunter Health Clinic and other community partners work together to address issues of poverty, homelessness, and access to basic health care.

United Methodist Open Door, Inc. 402 E 2nd Street Wichita, KS 67202 | Mailing Address: PO Box 2756 Wichita, KS 67201-2756 Phone: 316.265.9371 FAX: 316.265.4064http://umopendoor.org/