Wins for Kansas: Catholic Charities, Diocese of Wichita

WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) – Three mornings a week in south Wichita, Catholic Charities’ “Our Daily Bread” food pantry offers help and hope on South Hillside, between Pawnee and 31st.

“We’re actually a choice-based pantry so that means that they’re able to pick out what works their family and we have a little chart that individuals, our volunteers, will go through and be able to help assist them with the shopping,” said Tiffany Oltjenbruns, program director.

The pantry is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays for anyone who needs help.  On the Catholic Charities, Diocese of Wichita website, the words are simple: “We think no one should go hungry.”

“They’re a little down on their luck,” said Oltjenbruns, of the pantry’s clientele. “Maybe they’re just short (on money). Maybe they’re a grandparent, and they’re watching the kids.”

Whatever the circumstance, more than 100 volunteers work with the pantry to offer whatever they can.  It could be guidance, could be empathy. Just the time to remind every client who comes here with a cart that they matter.

“We can help fill a little bit of a gap, knowing that we’re able to help them,” said Oltjenbruns. “Provide that little bit of ‘extra’. Do they choose between getting gas or do they choose between getting food? Also just being able to check on them, too.”

As for the volunteers, the roster is deep, but the need is constant.  Oltjenbruns said the pantry thrives with more than 100 volunteers.

Story featured by Chris Earl, KAKE News