PITTSBURG, Kan. — Kansans in need of food assistance now have an easier way to find help thanks to a new project supported by the nonprofit Sunflower Foundation.
A newly launched website, www.kansasfoodsource.org, aims to help people seeking food assistance to find pantry locations in their areas. It also includes a link for help applying for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) or food stamps, as well as a link for upcoming summer food sites for children.
In Crawford County, locations listed on the website include the Cherokee Senior Citizen Building, Creating Legacies Inc., Family of Life Assembly of God (FLAG Church), First Christian Church, Follow Me Inn, Girard Community Food Pantry, Girard Public Library, First Baptist Church in Cherokee, Sacred Heart Community Center in Frontenac, The Lord’s Diner, the Salvation Army in Pittsburg, and Wesley House.
“The pandemic is really what set this into motion” said Brian Walker, president and CEO of the Kansas Food Bank. “Nowhere, was there a comprehensive list of all pantries that served our state. The website was designed for a user-friendly experience to help neighbors facing food insecurity by connecting Kansans in need directly with helpful resources.”
Besides a map with the locations of food pantries in each county in the state, the new website also includes contact phone numbers, as well as additional information when available, such as hours of operation or requirements for access to food.
The website is accessible from either a mobile device or desktop computer, and intended not only for use by food insecure households, but also schools, social workers, case managers, medical professionals and anyone seeking resources for those they are helping.
Kansasfoodsource.org lists food pantries that are partner agencies of three major Kansas organizations — Kansas Food Bank, Harvesters: The Community Food Network, and Second Harvest Community Food Bank — among others. For questions regarding kansasfoodsource.org, please contact the Kansas Food Bank at 316-265-3663.
