Outreach
Our Philosophy
The work of our social outreach ministries includes a range of programs through which we assist, both directly and indirectly, people in need. It is our goal to develop a comprehensive program from which you choose an area that is important to you.
Our work is directed to the global, national, diocesan and local community. Wherever there is a need, we shall try to respond. In this way, we are a conduit by which we all can reveal Christ’s love to those who are most in need.
We lament with Christ that the poor may very well always be with us. In these programs, we cannot and do not provide comprehensive solutions. Rather, we touch one person or family in need at a time, doing what we are able to do. Join us in reaching out to a community in need — in being a source of assistance to those who so desperately require it.
Foster Care Projects
We provide whatever assistance is possible to children within the foster care system, and to those transitioning out of the system. Our help includes hosting events for Christmas and Easter, donating school supplies and providing gift cards as birthday gifts. We also work with Crittenton Children’s Center campus, part of the Saint Luke’s Health System, which provides mental health services for area youth. 2011 Contact: Lori Childs or Terri Curran.
AIDS Walk Kansas City
We sponsor a team at the annual AIDS Walk KC to help raise funds for local organizations that help fulfill basic life needs of people and families stricken with AIDS. 2011 Contact: Lenette or Juliana Johnson.
Maison de Naissance / Friends of MN
Maison de Naissance provides assistance to mothers and newborn infants in Haiti, in the form of a “well-baby” program and the birthing center Maison de Naissance (literally translated from the French as “House of Birth”). The Friends of MN group at the Cathedral informs the Cathedral about what is happening with MN and how we can help mothers and babies in Haiti. 2011 Contact: Marian Philip.
Hunger Relief
Nonperishable Food Collection, St. Mary’s Food Pantry
Food pantries across the city are experiencing empty shelves even as the people needing food continues to increase. The pantry at St. Mary’s, just down the street at 13th and Holmes, has asked the Cathedral to help keep their pantry stocked. On the second Sunday of each month, Cathedral members are asked to donate non-perishable food. 2011 Contact: Sally Livengood.
Grocery Bag Collection, St. Paul’s Pantry
When the grocer asks “Paper or Plastic,” say “Paper” and recycle by donating the bags to our food pantries for distributing food to the hungry. Bring the bags to church and leave them in the basket in the tower entrance and they will be donated to St. Paul’s food pantry. 2011 Contact: Mary Byrne.
Kansas City Community Kitchen
The Cathedral donates $20,000 each year to the Kansas City Community Kitchen. In addition, we are building volunteer prep teams. The ideal prep team is five or more and, in this larger kitchen, no prep team is too large. Teams work once each month for two to three hours preparing food to be served the next day. 2011 Contact: John Simpson.
Meals-on-Wheels Delivery Teams
Deliver nutritious meals to homebound in Midtown and Kansas City’s East side. Volunteer once or twice a month—more or less if you like. 2011 Contact: Richard Gooch.
Project BackSnack
Many families living in poverty rely on free or reduced-fee school breakfasts and lunches for their school-age children. Often those children don’t have enough to eat between Friday and Monday. We will be providing backpacks full of non-perishable food for children each weekend. 2011 Contact: Charmaine Fowler.
Special Projects
In addition these ministries, we also support special projects. In 2011, we are participating in diocesan efforts to aid those affected by the tornado that destroyed much of Joplin. Additionally, we matched congregational giving toward the national church’s Rebuild Our Church in Haiti campaign. With our matching grant, the Cathedral sent more than $16,000 to help rebuild Holy Trinity Cathedral.
How can I help?
Give your time
Contact the individual responsible for the ministry in which you are interested, Charmaine Fowler (2011 Social Outreach Commission chair) or the Cathedral office.
Give Financially
Mail donations to:
Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral
PO Box 412048
Kansas City MO 64141-2048
Memo Social Outreach Commission on your check.
Pray
Pray for those involved with the Cathedral’s social outreach ministries and those who need our help.
