Human Needs Ministry

Serving the human needs of the community.

for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing
Matthew 25:35-36a

Bags of Blessing from the Heart

For January 2021, help us collect “Bags of Blessing” for those in need of assistance in Wichita and surrounding areas. Fill one or more gallon sized zip-lock bags with one each of the following items:

We request new, travel size, non-fragrance items for all ages in complete bags. Extra items not in bags and ethnic preference items are welcome.

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Ministries Throughout the Year

Family Promise

Family Promise with whom Christ Lutheran has agreed to become a host congregation in the Rotation Program. Elaine Miller coordinates our involvement with Family Promise. We will begin serving people one week/quarter once a new group of twelve churches are obtained. The mission of Family Promise of Greater Wichita is to unite hearts and hands to provide compassionate hospitality and empower homeless families with children to achieve sustainable independence. They provide customized case management which allows them to walk beside families in life, partnering with them to achieve their goals.

There are three phases to their Sustainable Independence Program (SIP):
Phase 1: Support Services Families are assisted with urgent/crisis needs for homelessness prevention, as we have resources.
Phase 2: Hospitality/Lodging Our Rotation Program, to work towards sustainability. Other programs revolve around this.
Phase 3: Mentoring/Aftercare For families who have participated in/graduated from our Rotation Program.

Family Promise wishlist is below. Contact Elaine, Forrest, or Pastor Chad if you can contribute: Diapers, especially newborn and 2T pull-ups, 20x25x1 furnace filters, Nitrile gloves, Roll paper towels, Printer paper, Sunscreen, Sidewalk chalk, bubbles, outdoor activities, Children’s swimsuits, Hand soap, Laundry soap (All Free brand), Baby wipes, Trash bags, Super and super plus tampons, Gift cards to Walmart, Gas cards, Bus passes (can be purchased at Dillons)

Wichita Children’s Home

Christmas items were collected and delivered.

Souper Bowl of Caring

January’s donations were for Souper Bowl.
Members of Christ Lutheran Church were asked to bring food for sack lunches being bagged and served by our youth to Wichita citizens in poverty. The Soup Pot money collected will go for supplies St. Paul’s Breakfast.

Bags of Blessings

Bags of Blessings program through Partners for Wichita invites everyone to collect personal care items for people in need throughout the Wichita area. They add a blessing and deliver bags to organizations and agencies who work closely with those who are most in need. This annual February project is a community-wide Valentine for neighbors in need.  Together we make a difference!

Food 4 Kids Foodbags

Human Needs collection for March was Food 4 Kids. In the Wichita School District, on Fridays, many children on the free/reduced lunch plans are sent home with a backpack full of food that will help feed them throughout the weekend. . This is a link to a short video (1.5 minutes) about the program; http://www.kansasfoodbank.org/2008/11/05/kids-helping-kids/

Family Life Center Safehouse

Human Needs collection for April, items were collected for the Family Life Center Safehouse in El Dorado. The Family Life Center Safehouse provides comprehensive services to victims of domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual assault/abuse. They provide special attention to each client’s individual needs.

Baby Care Kits

Members were asked to bring items for Baby Care Kits. Flat fold cloth diapers are the most needed item for baby layette kits for LWR. LWR requests that we do NOT send onesies.

Episcopal Migration Ministries

Members were asked to bring items items are being collected for refugees. They will come here with nothing. We are asked to provide anything they might need to set up a home in an apartment.

This organization helps international refugees relocate to Wichita by helping with housing, language, and transitional assistance. We have helped welcome refugees from Burma/Myanmar, Congo, and Ethiopia.

“Filling the Gap Lunches for Kids”

Partners for Wichita is reaching out with lunches for hungry kids before school starts. We are collecting healthy snacks to go with the meals. Here’s how you can help. Please help hungry children now. Your check, written to Partners for Wichita and designated for “Filling the Gap,” may be mailed to Partners for Wichita, 925 N. Waco, Wichita, KS 67203; or you may give securely online at www.partnersforwichita.org.

CROP Walk

The Wichita CROP Hunger Walk seeks to educate, inspire and empower the Wichita community to be agents of change in the fight against poverty and hunger through fundraising events with local and international impact. The Walk is an opportunity for Wichita residents of all ages, faiths, cultures and circumstances to join together to demonstrate their concern for those who are poor and do not have enough food to eat, both across the globe and in our own backyard. 1/4 of funds raised stay local (Free Community Breakfast-St.

Paul’s Lutheran Church; Breakfast and Neighborhood Fellowship – City Life Church; Inter-Faith Ministries Wichita – food ministries and United Methodist Open Door Ministries – Food Ministry). 3/4 of the funds raised assist the hungry around the world through Church World Service. For more information about what CROP Walk does review these two videos:

StepStone

StepStone is a transitional living program for survivors of domestic violence. One survivor/ mother had this to say about StepStone; “They take you in, wrap you in their arms and keep you safe and secure.” Needs for StepStone are typically laundry detergent, personal hygiene and cleaning supplies. You can learn more about this program by going to their web page: http://www.stepstoneks.org/stepstone
If you know someone who is experiencing domestic violence they may want to contact the Domestic Violence HotLine at 1-800-799-7233. Data from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence; In 2018 there were 444 gun related domestic violence fatalities; 10 million people a year are physically abused each year by an intimate partner; 20,000 calls a day are made to domestic violence hotlines; 20% of women in the United States have been raped.

Dear Neighbor Ministries Food Pantry

Dear Neighbor Ministries Food Pantry serves the entire community and has struggled with maintaining adequate food to distribute to people in need. They distribute not only food items but also personal care items. People utilizing the Supplemental Nutrition program (SNAP – formerly called food stamps) are unable to purchase non-food items with these benefits. People receiving food stamps typically run out of food by the 23rd of the month.

Union Rescue Mission

Gathering items for the Union Rescue Mission at 2800 N. Hillside (http://urmwichita.org/programs-services) Some of the items collected were: Winter gloves, Water Bottles, Insulated cups (for coffee or cold), Disposable Hand Warmers, Chapstick, and Food.
There are many programs assisting with holidays as well as people in need. A resource for you to give to people or to consider for donations can be found on the Kansas Food Bank web page; http://www.kansasfoodbank.org/finding-help/

Safe Hope – Newton.

More information about Safe Hope can be found on their webpage. http://www.safehope.net/

Lutheran World Relief 

The mission of Lutheran World Relief is “Affirming God’s love for all people, we work with Lutherans and partners around the world to end poverty, injustice and human suffering. “ CLC helped with draw string sacks and school supplies LWR School Kits This is a link to instructions for sewing school packs.

Refugee Ministry

The refugee ministry celebrated August as the first anniversary of their arrival to Wichita. Some of the events of the summer has been family visitation to work on English skills and to have fun, bicycle repair, a new bike for Moses, enrollment in the Wichita Indochinese Center English class, trips to the zoo and now looking forward to school enrollments. A number of CLC members also support other refugees and Saint Francis Migration Ministries by assisting with donations of lawn mowers, furniture and supplies, transportation of refugees to medical and dental appointments, trips to the Social Security Office, post office, etc. Items for SFMM were collected in June. Thank you for your Support.