What is the most important thing to do in life?
The answer is simple: LOVE GOD! LOVE OTHER PEOPLE!
Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Jesus of Nazareth, Matthew 22:36-40
HOW DO WE LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS?
Jesus said, “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, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me…“Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me”
Jesus Christ of Nazareth, 1st Century (Matthew 25:35-36, 45)
Our Mission is SIMPLE: Love God! Love other People by helping them!
- Food with the Hungry – Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Food Pantry
- Water with the Thirsty – City of Topeka Water Utility Bill Assistance
- Housing for the Stranger – Rental and Emergency Housing
- Clothing for the Naked – Baby Closet, Kids Closet at Westside Christian Church, and Adult Clothing at Doorstep, Inc
- Medical Care for the Sick – Local hospitals, GraceMed Capitol Family Clinic, and prescription copay assistance
- Visitation for the Incarcerated and Institutionalized
DOWNLOAD THIS FREE RESOURCE – Topeka Area Resource Check List:
ANONYMOUS SUPPORT GROUPS:
COUNSELING: Do You Need Someone to Listen to You and Your Needs?
PASTORAL CARE:
Listening with the Ear of the Heart
Our Clergy are trained in the spiritual practice of listening carefully with the ear of the heart. They will give their attention to a kind of deep, intentional, generous listen to you, your soul, the world and to God with a mindful and loving heart, unfettered by internal chatter, personal ambition, hidden agendas, and personal prejudice.
“There’s a lot of difference between
listening and hearing.”
― G.K. Chesterton
Find a Christian Counselor in our Topeka area TODAY at https://www.psychologytoday.com
FOOD, CLOTHES, RENT AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE:
We help our neighbors and community with basic needs like food, water, baby supplies, children’s clothes, addiction recovery, emotional support, utility assistance, and more! Click on the pictures below to find out more about getting help at West Side Baptist Church:
Doorstep Inc.
1119 SW 10th Ave, Topeka, KS 66604
Phone (785) 357-5341
https://www.doorsteptopeka.org/
UTILITIES – Help with Electric, Natural Gas, and Water
- BUDGET or LEVEL PAY AGREEMENTS or utility pay agreement – Contact your utility provider.
- EVERGY UTILITY BILL ASSISTANCE – financial options and program assistance for qualified applicants – https://www.evergy.com/
- Franchise Fee Utility Rebate/Credit Program – CALL the Community Resources Council at (785) 233-1365
- LIEAP (Low Income Energy Assistance Payment) – https://www.dcf.ks.gov
- KANSAS GAS SERVICE Assistance Program – https://www.kansasgasservice.com
- Project Deserve for EVERGY Customers – CALL 316-219-4070 or 1-888-765-9058 Earned Income Tax Credit
- Utility & Weatherization Related Assistance Programs – https://kcc.ks.gov/public-affairs-and-consumer-protection/utility-weatherization-related-assistance-programs-in-northeast-kansas
- WaterShare – City of Topeka Water Utility Assistance Program – https://www.topeka.org/utilities/watershare
GAS & FUEL ASSISTANCE
The Church does NOT provide financial assistance, gift certificates, vouchers or cash to purchase gasoline, oil, or other automotive items.
Electric Vehicle Charging Station Locations
BUS PASSES: The Church provides a limited number of 24-Hr bus passes for families and medical appointments. Call the Office.
RENT ASSISTANCE – Equity Access Shelter Program
NO HOTEL OR MOTEL ASSISTANCE
ALL RENT REQUESTS MUST START
WITH THE CITY OF TOPEKA
CALL: (785) 368-9533
Call (785) 368-9533 to start the process. The City will do an intake survey, determine the eligibility and prioritize the callers’ requests based on a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) survey. Once a person is eligible, the City will send a ticket to the local social service agencies (e.g., Doorstep Inc., Let’s Help, Salvation Army, etc.) in Topeka to take over the request. Applicants will probably get a recording, so leave one message, not multiple messages, and the City will call them back ASAP.
FOOD PANTRY SOUP KITCHEN
🍲 The Community Kitchen: Neighbors Helping Neighbors
The Community Kitchen:
A Neighborly Table for Everyone
Join us for a warm meal and friendly fellowship at The Community Kitchen — served Sundays at Noon at West Side Baptist Church, 1008 SW 4th Street, Topeka, KS 66606.
Everyone is welcome at our table! Whether you’re looking for a good meal, a listening ear, or a sense of community, you’ll find it here. The Community Kitchen is a place where neighbors help neighbors, sharing God’s love through food and friendship.
HELPING OUR NEIGHBORS:
GREATER KANSAS FAMILIES – Persons and families OUTSIDE of the Topeka / Shawnee County area should contact their local ministerial alliance, house of worship, or community assistance network. The Church cannot provide transportation assistance (including gas) for nonresidents or persons/families traveling through the area.
NEIGHBORING STATES – The church welcomes people of all nations, states, tribes, and languages. We partner with agencies, shelters, churches, and ecumenical partnerships to assist families in neighboring states (Arkansas, Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and more). Persons and families OUTSIDE of the State of Kansas should contact their local ministerial alliance, house of worship, or community assistance network. The Church cannot provide transportation assistance (including gas) for nonresidents or persons/families traveling through the area.
WARD-MEADE NEIGHBORS – Persons and families living in the historic north-central Ward Meade Neighborhood of Topeka, Kansas, should contact the Church Office at (785) 233-4241 to schedule an appointment to complete an Application for Assistance in person. The Church shares limited funds per request as donations are available. The Church promises no assistance or support without prior approval of the Benevolence Committee. No cash will be paid to any person(s). The Church does not discriminate but complies with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and all other federal, state, and local laws. A check will be mailed or paid directly to the agency, company, and/or landlord in approximately ten (10) business days. No assistance or applications are accepted over the phone. Donate to the Benevolence Fund at https://west-side-baptist-church.square.site.
Honor & Respect Policy – Dignity, Courtesy, Honor and Respect
The Church is committed to treating people with dignity, courtesy, honor and respect by upholding our Christian ethics and principles. The Church does not discriminate in the distribution of goods and social services, regardless of age, color, creed, ethnicity, gender expression, marital status, military obligations, national origin (ancestry), physical appearance (height, weight, etc.), physical or mental ability (handicap), race, religion (or no religious beliefs), sex, sexuality, or veteran status.
If you have a negative experience, speak with a program supervisor or call the Minister at (785) 233-4241
Updated: 17 AUGUST 2026
West Side Baptist Church is a registered 501(c)3 Not-for-Profit Religious Charitable Corporation (USA Federal ID Number 48-0612483; Kansas Tax Exempt KSNKX22BJN, Exp. 10-01-2024). Donations may be tax-deductible as permitted by law. West Side Baptist Church, 1008 S.W. 4th Street, Topeka, KS 66606.
