KANSAS CITY, Kan. — In an effort to help some of the most vulnerable families in need during this time, organizations are partnering together.
Made Men, a nonprofit organization in Wyandotte County, is staying busy during the standstill.
Right now, they're serving about eight to 10 families a day.
"We're just trying to be a beacon of hope to our community," Made Men founder, Nelson Gabriel said. "Families are needing help and kids are home all day, so they need more food, and the little that we do have, we're making sure that we can feed as many families as we can and to just keep it going."
Gabriel said every food pantry is needed here, and many are running on all cylinders to make sure families are fed because the need is great.
"We are a food desert here in Wyandotte County," Gabriel said. "We don't have many grocery stores, we don't have access transportation-wise to get to places where we can get quality food, so it's needed."
The organization has been around since 2012. It works to provide resources for several people in the Wyandotte County area, specifically those who are working to get their GEDs and workforce job placement.
"There were a couple of our GED students who we found out were homeless, didn’t have food," Gabriel said. "And you know they come here, they come to class, and we wanted to make sure that they could leave with something to help them to make it."
The nonprofit is getting a little help. They're working with the Sunflower Health Plan and Harvesters to open a food pantry for its families.
Just recently, Made Men also partnered with Heartland Coca-Cola.
"We started a community engagement committee at our job and it's really for our employees to be able to engage in the communities," Heartland Coca-Cola Business Supervisor, Dakneisha Beard said. "And so it was in our hearts to give back. And I know around these times with COVID-19, a lot of people are struggling to get the basic necessities."
The company has been working with the organization for the past week to provide those basic necessities.
"Just the diapers and the soaps and just those little things that we take for granted everyday, people are struggling to have and so our goal was really to partner with someone and help out a family," Beard said.
Gabriel said it's just one way to give back to those who need it most.
"Just to know that somebody is listening, somebody cares and somebody has a voice that’s willing to sound for you is, I think, the most important message we can get out," Gabriel said.
Gabriel said there is no requirement for those who are in need of items. To learn more information, you can call Made Men's office at (913) 521-9400.
Right now, the organization is working to add meat for its families who are in need.
To learn more about Made Men, visit their website.