OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — A line of cars stretched for blocks, waiting to turn into the New Haven Seventh-Day Adventist Church parking lot, where volunteers waited on Tuesday to distribute food for those in need.
The Overland Park church partnered with Harvesters to provide meals to the community.
"Some of our church members lost jobs, hours cut back, only essential businesses being open, people are missing paychecks," Associate Pastor Mark Tamaleaa said.
People began lining up before sunrise, and food distribution was steady all morning. But to sustain this level of success moving forward, food pantries need more supplies beyond food.
Karen Whitson, Renewed Hope Food Pantry director, said they need more bags, gloves and box trucks to continue delivery food.
"We’re always looking to the future to how we can serve our community," Whitson said.
Jewish Family Services' food distribution also faces challenges during the pandemic, even as they continue serving clients. A main concern, according to JFS Food Pantry Director Jo Hickey is having a consistent source of food.
"Harvesters has done a great job of getting food into the KC area,” Hickey said, “but there’s not as much variety as we offer to our guests, that’s one of the biggest hurdles.”
Everyone is thinking about future needs, too.
"Our strain is always looking at what we do next week, two months from now,” Karen Whitson said. “...What can we do to do more because there’s so much more need?"
But still, Hickey said that there is a sense of importance associated with the work they do.
"It’s really meaningful for us to be on the front lines serving our guests and being able to provide a little peace of mind during this tumultuous time,” Hickey said.
The goal, according to Whitson, is to “share food and love.”
“We want people to drive out of here with hope in their hearts," Whitson said.
