16 February 2024
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Some families have extra food to help them get through the month, thanks to a food giveaway in northeast Wichita this afternoon.
The Urban League of Kansas, the Kansas Food Bank, and Bank of America teamed up to provide fresh produce and other food items during the drive-thru event in the Urban League’s back parking lot.
“Sometimes people don’t have enough money to make it through the month, and so they have to make a choice between whether it be prescription drugs or food, and so we’re trying to do what we can to help make a difference in that choice,” Pastor C. Richard Kirkendoll, Urban League Guild president said.
Wichita School Board Member Lavonta Williams is on the Urban League Board. She was one of the many people helping with the event. She said they do not ask people to provide proof of income or evidence of need.
“There are no questions asked. We just want to know are you needing food for one family in this car or do you have two families in this car,” Williams said. “We’re giving out masks as well because we know that there is a need for masks again because we’ve heard of COVID slipping back in in particular areas, and so we want to make sure that they have the masks they need.”
The Kansas Food Bank relies on partners like Urban League to reach more people.
“This is a community that has seen a lot of grocery stores leave the area,” Ken Regier, Kansas Food Bank, said. “It’s actually considered a food desert where there’s just not access to food locally, and so bringing in fresh produce and like whole, healthy foods is really something that’s highly needed in this community.”
The event happens at 2 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. It lasts until the food runs out. Urban League of Kansas is at 2418 E. 9th Street North.
Kirkendoll said Urban League helps the community in many other ways, too.
“Urban League is an awesome organization. It’s there to help provide community with job training, home buying skills; we also test in GED, real estate, different things,” he said. “It’s a well-rounded organization. It has a little bit of everything the community needs.”
He said he and the other volunteers leave with a good feeling.
“You’re tired when you go home, but it’s a good tired. You feel like you accomplished something,” he said. “You know, if I could just help that one somebody along the way, then my living would not have been in vain.”