FOOD PANTRY IS OPEN MOST WEDNESDAYS IN 2024
The Free Fruit and Vegetable Food Pantry is open most Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5:30 pm while supplies last. See Program Eligibility Requirements Below.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
- AUGUST 28, 2024 – OPEN @ 3:30-5:30 pm
- SEPTEMBER 04, 2024 – OPEN @ 3:30-5:30 pm
- SEPTEMBER 11, 2024 – OPEN @ 3:30-5:30 pm
- SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 – OPEN @ 3:30-5:30 pm
- SEPTEMBER 25, 2024 – OPEN @ 3:30-5:30 pm
CHANGE OF SCHEDULE: We will move to a monthly distribution because of the shortage of available food. Food Pantry will be held only on the THIRD Wednesday of each month starting October 1, 2024.
- OCTOBER 16, 2024 – OPEN @ 3:30-5:30 pm
- NOVEMBER 20, 2024 – OPEN @ 3:30-5:30 pm
- DECEMBER 18, 2024 – OPEN @ 3:30-5:30 pm
TEXT “FOOD” to (785) 432-5383 for updates and alerts
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INCLEMENT WEATHER – Closed for inclement weather or if Harvesters Community Food Network cannot make deliveries. See Inclement Weather Policy.
Call the Church Office at (785) 233-4241 for holiday and weather-related closures. The Church reserves the right to change or cancel the program as needed during an emergency. The Food Pantry reserves the right to refuse service to any person for abusive, aggressive, disruptive, disrespectful, or threatening behavior.
TOPEKA & SHAWNEE COUNTY KANSAS FOOD BANKS & PANTRIES
MILK 2 MY PLATE PROGRAM EXPANDED
The Fruit & Vegetable Food Pantry will expand the Milk to My Plate program in 2024 from 99 to 108 families each month. West Side Baptist Church purchases 2% dairy milk from our local distributer to share once a month in partnership with Harvesters Community Food Network. Thanks to a grant from the Kansas Baptist Foundation, Ward Meade neighbors, and other donors, we are able to increase our purchases to more than $230 per month. The Food Pantry tries to share free milk once a month while supplies last. *All items are available for free.*
PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
IDENTIFICATION REQUIRED EVERY VISIT: Clients must provide a valid government-issued PHOTO I.D. with a current address (including apartment number, if applicable) printed on the document. Clients without updated identification may bring their government-issued PHOTO I.D. with a recent (within one month) utility bill postmarked by the US Postal Service with their current address computer printed on the envelope. All other persons must have prior permission from the Program Supervisor. Homeless persons are welcome but must provide a valid valid government-issued PHOTO I.D. and register under the last address used to receive US postal service mail.
ANTI-DISCRIMINATION POLICY – The Church respect and honors all persons, 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, sexual orientation, or veteran status. The Church does not discriminate in the distribution of goods and social services. If you believe you have experienced discrimination, speak with a program supervisor, or call the Minister at (785) 233-4241.
CLIENT-TRACK – The Food Pantry does not participate in the Client-Track program in Topeka/Shawnee Co.
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES – The Fruit & Vegetable Food Pantry will comply with all federal, state, county, and local regulations and mandates to mitigate the spread of communicable diseases, including the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The Pantry will operate as a MOBILE FOOD PANTRY beginning March 2020 until further notice. Find accurate and updated information about COVID-19 and other health emergencies at the Shawnee County Health Department (https://www.snco.us/hd) or the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (https://www.cdc.gov).
COMMUNITY RULES FOR GOOD BEHAVIOR – Clients are expected to behave according to generally appropriate manners and social norms, including but not limited to being courteous (patiently waiting in line and not cutting), being respectful of others and yourself (no abusive or threatening behavior or language, bullying, cussing, put-downs, racism/discrimination, littering, etc.), being polite with appropriate language, being responsible for yourself, your property, and your minor children, being self-controlled, being kind (using appropriate words of appreciation, pardon, and apology. **The Food Pantry reserves the right to refuse service to persons who violate the community rules for good conduct.**
DELIVERIES – The Food Pantry cannot and will not make deliveries or provide transportation. Persons are encouraged to use private or public transportation (https://www.topekametro.org), or use other modes of transport.
DISTRIBUTION LINE – Line-Up on 4th STREET ONLY. Do NOT use Fillmore, Western, or any side street. Do NOT cut into the line or jump places. Enter Western PARKING LOT from 4th and CLAY Streets. Do not park or exit your vehicle. Violators will be warned and required to return to the end of the line. Repeat offenders will be banned from the program.
DISTRIBUTION – FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED – Food is distributed freely on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
HOLIDAYS CLOSED – The Food Pantry is CLOSED on or near certain holidays, such as New Year’s Day, the 4th of July, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and the week of Christmas, or times food deliveries are cancelled.
HOUSEHOLDS – One household per address or property printed on government-issued identification. All individuals, regardless of age or familial relationship, residing at a single address or property are considered one household unless the property is subdivided (e.g., multi-family structure) by the owner as reported to the City of Topeka.
PRESENCE – Clients must be present to receive food. In emergency situations, clients may pick up food for a disabled family member or neighbor (a maximum of two families) ONLY if the client has prior written permission and shows a proper PHOTO ID for all clients.
REGISTRATION & SIGN-IN – Clients must report their name and report the number of residents in the household, regardless of age or familial relationships to the volunteer or on a form provided by Harvesters Community Food Network.
RESIDENCY – Clients must reside in the Topeka area (zip code 66601-66619) with the intent to make the City of Topeka their permanent home.
REGISTER – Clients must report the number of residents in the household, regardless of age or familial relationships, to the volunteer or on the form provided by Harvesters Community Food Network.
VEHICLE LINE: Vehicles Line-Up on 4th STREET ONLY. Do NOT use Fillmore, Western, or any side street.
Be a good citizen and neighbor! Do NOT cut into the line or jump places. Do not park or exit your vehicle.
Enter Western PARKING LOT from 4th and CLAY Streets.
HOMELESS AND WALK-UPS: Homeless persons, individuals without vehicular transportation, and walk-ups are welcome.
WEEKLY (HEBDOMADAL) – Clients are limited to receiving one distribution per week.
WEATHER – The Food Pantry may be canceled, postponed, relocated, and/or rescheduled in response to inclement weather and/or emergencies without prior notification or publication. Call the Church Office at (785) 233-4241 for holiday and weather-related closures.
UPDATED – The eligibility requirements, policies, and programs may be changed, modified, updated, and/or canceled at any time without prior notification or publication.
*All food is available at no cost.
FOOD PANTRY YEARLY IMPACT REPORT: The Free Fruit & Vegetable Food Pantry partners with Harvesters Community Food Network (https://www.harvesters.org) to “feed hungry people today and work to end hunger tomorrow.”
Together, we have freely served:
| TOTAL AGENCY DISTRIBUTION | TOTAL NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS SERVED |
| 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 FIVE YEAR TOTAL | 2,424 4,356 5,608 5,778 6,368 24,534 |
| FRUIT & VEGETABLE FOOD PANTRY | TOTAL SERVED IN 2023 |
| Total Households Served | 6,368 |
| Total Individuals Served | 21,679 |
| Adults | 10,462 |
| Children | 8,564 |
| Seniors | 2,653 |
| Total Pounds Distributed | 66,449 |
| Total Meals Distributed (1 meal = 1.2 pounds) | 55,374 |
| Total Value of Food Distributed ($1.79 per pound) | $255,668 |
DONATIONS ACCEPTED:
We are happy to partner with Harvesters Community Food Network (https://www.harvesters.org/) to share food with our neighbors. Donations are accepted at HARVESTERS website (https://www.harvesters.org/) or giving online at https://west-side-baptist-church.square.site.
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.
WARD MEADE BLESSING BOX
A Blessing Box was installed in 2023 on 5th Street between Taylor and Polk Streets by neighbors and volunteers. Donate nonperishable food and household items; take what you need.
In JANUARY, we will be collecting woman’s hygiene items, canned and nonperishable food, like mac & cheese. Donate freely. Take freely.
*All items are available for free.* Video security is provided by neighbors.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION POLICY – The Church respect and honors all people, 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, sexual orientation, or veteran status. The Church does not discriminate in the distribution of goods and social services. If you have experienced discrimination, speak with a program supervisor or call the Minister at (785) 233-4241.
Updated: AUGUST 14, 2024