he volunteers at Our Daily Bread Food Pantry at Catholic Charities are noticing a steady increase in new faces as they welcome clients to the pantry, and Derek Tyler, program director, has the numbers to prove that the volunteers are, in fact, seeing many more new faces. In May, the pantry welcomed 124 first-time households among 756 total households served during the month. In June, the number of new households jumped to 165 of the 878 households served. Derek says the trend continued in July as the pantry served 197 new clients among 887 total households. Derek says the steady increase is a result of people struggling to stretch their monthly income during a time of high inflation. Everyone is paying more for groceries these days, and Our Daily Bread is no exception.
Continued inside. first householdstime of 756 householdstotalserved of 887 householdstotalservedfirsttimehouseholds124 197 MAY 2022 JULY 2022
Inflation impacts ministries not once, but twice Just as consumers are coping with an inflation rate Americans have not experienced in several decades, faith-based community impact organizations like Catholic Charities are feeling the pinch as well. Actually, we feel it more than once. First, like the people we serve, we are paying more for everything. More to purchase food, hygiene products and cleaning supplies for our shelters, more to put gas in the vehicles we use to transport clients to appointments or work, and more in utilities at our shelters, food pantry and offices. In addition, as of July 1, we increased the wages we pay to better recruit and retain mission-driven staff in this competitive job environment.
While the pantry is blessed to be able to purchase food from the Kansas Food Bank at deeply discounted prices, Derek says that even with the discount, the cost of food is noticeably higher. “Our spend at the Food Bank from May 1 to July 21 this year was more than $13,000 higher than the same time period in 2021,” he says. “Our bill went from a little more than $6,000 to $19,000. We all feel the pinch of inflation on our personal budgets, but when you see the increase in food costs like that for our pantry, it is incredible.”
While stats tell the story of inflation’s toll, so do the personal stories of the clients that come to Our Daily Bread. One recent client interaction touched Derek’s heart. “One gentleman was a familiar face at the pantry because he and his wife would regularly come in to donate food for others,” Derek says, adding that the client recently lost his wife and is adjusting to life alone and on one fixed income during inflation. “Now we see this gentleman once a month, not to donate food but because he needs food to feed himself.”
New families come to Our Daily Bread amid soaring prices
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Harbor House offers more than safe shelter
We realize that our wonderful donors and community partners also are feeling the effects of inflation on budgets at home and at work. We pray that you will continue to join us in our work to share God’s love with the hungry, homeless, lonely, disabled and abused in the community by being as generous as you can. Your gift to our Faithful Servant Fund allows us to address the most urgent needs within our ministries and the Maycommunity.Godabundantly bless you and yours, and may He bless Catholic Charities with all that is WendyGratefully,good.Glick ometimes, it takes more than one stay at Harbor House or the collaboration of several ministries to help a domestic violence survivor find her footing on the path to safety and security. When the staff at Harbor House first met Kasie, she had experienced significant trauma. That abuse she suffered, combined with ongoing mental health issues, made it difficult for her to retain employment. With the help of SAFE Project, she received housing assistance for her and her child. But after reuniting with her abuser, her life took a difficult turn. When the abuser harmed her child, a state welfare agency stepped in and placed the child in foster care; Kasie returned to the shelter. This time, Kasie had a new motivation: regaining custody of her child. With the help of the Harbor House team and her SAFE Project case manager, Kasie received her GED, gained her sobriety, and found and has maintained employment. A commitment to a new, healthier lifestyle of exercise and better food choices has Kasie feeling physically and mentally better than she has in a long time. It looks promising that she will soon be reunited with her child. In the case of another survivor, Sara, it was the collaborative nature of several Catholic Charities’ ministries that helped her transform her life from victim to survivor. She and her child found safety within the walls of Harbor House, where she diligently worked through the steps of the program, setting goals for herself. Her legal case was complicated and Harbor’s court advocates were by her side as she navigated protection orders, safe visitation for her child and other legal steps she needed to be safe. Her SAFE Project case manager trained her on budgeting and financial literacy, and helped her connect with resources for the mental health counseling both she and her child needed to process their trauma. Her SAFE case manager also helped her find employment.
Inflation ministriesimpacts
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We feel the impact of inflation again because more and more people are coming to Catholic Charities for assistance because of the very thing that is driving up our costs – inflation. We are serving more people because of inflation and, because of inflation, it costs us more to serve people. Inflation has us both “coming and going.”
Crisis line available 24/7 to help victims of domestic violence or sexual assault connect with resources including safety planning, district court services, employment and job training, counseling, shelter services and more.
As a low-income, active-duty military veteran who was without a home, Sara was eligible for housing assistance through Supportive Services for Veteran Families at Catholic Charities. Her SSVF case manager also helped make sure that she was receiving all of the benefits to which she was entitled.
Today, Kasie and Sara on well on their way to life free from violence for both themselves and their children.
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Harbor House Crisis Hotline (316) 263-6000 or toll-free 1-866-899-5522
Goebel leading as board chair Chris Goebel, CEO of Star Lumber in Wichita, has begun a two-year term as chair for the Catholic Charities Board of Directors. He is among four board members taking on leadership roles as of July 1. Goebel joined the board in 2015, and most recently served a two-year term as vice-chair. Also beginning two-year terms as officers are Andy Buessing, president of Hutton, vice-chair; Monte Cook, president and CEO of Commerce Bank, treasurer; and, Carol Streckfus, president/owner of Cohlmia Marketing, secretary.
Cana counseling Jeannette Swindler LPC, LMAC Accepting new clients To learn more, visit CanaCounseling.org.
“When children come into Harbor House or St. Anthony’s, they often don’t have the supplies or clothes that they need for school,” says Kenna Bell, annual fund manager for Catholic Charities. “Having previously worked in one of our shelters, I know that one of the first steps our case managers take to help children new to shelter have a normal routine is to make sure they are going to school.” Tangible items can be purchased from wish lists available on Amazon Smile, Amazon and the Catholic Charities website. Cash donations, which provided the funds needed to purchase supplies and clothes in the correct size and colors throughout the school year can be made at https://give.classy.org/CCWBackToSchool2022.
In addition, the AmeriCorps Senior volunteers who serve in the Foster Grandparent Program at Catholic Charities also need supplies throughout the school year as they work to tutor children in classrooms throughout Sedgwick County.
Shelter kids need school supplies all year long you Joyce!
Cana Counseling expands with new therapist t a time when the demand for mental health services is high, Cana Counseling at Catholic Charities is expanding its staff and making plans to move to a new location.
Joyce Mahoney, senior director of ministries, is retiring in September! She has faithfully served Catholic Charities for 14 years, impacting the lives of thousands of people, both clients and staff. She first joined Catholic Charities as program director for Harbor House, and has been in her current role since April Thank2016.you, Joyce, for all that you have done for Catholic Charities and those we serve! Best wishes to you and Tim as you begin this exciting new chapter of life!
Thank
Jeannette Swindler, LPC, LMAC, joined the team of therapists in June and is accepting new clients. She brings experience in working with adults and adolescents experiencing mental health and addiction issues, using a variety of approaches, including dialectical behavior therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and more. “I entered the counseling field, I believe, as a calling from God. I became a therapist later in life, and chose to attend Christian universities to learn to integrate faith along with modern counseling theories,” says the graduate of Oklahoma Wesleyan University and Grace University. “The training included knowledge of how to integrate Christian values and beliefs into therapy, or how to only use modern counseling theories in therapy, based upon the client’s preference. “I have a deep respect for people who choose to embark on a personal journey of selfdiscovery, self-improvement and recovery from past hurts or abuse. It is my passion and privilege to partner with people along their journey,” she says. To improve the overall client experience, Cana Counseling will be moving to new office space this fall, according to Lisa Butler, LCMFT, LCAC, program director. She says the Cana offices will remain close to the downtown Wichita area, will offer better parking for clients and an office configuration more suitable for counseling services.
The therapists at Cana work with individuals, couples and families, serving people across all cultures, ages, denominations and faiths. Cana accepts most insurance, including Medicaid; a sliding fee scale is available for those with Medicare or who are without insurance.
Amazon Wishlist Cash Donation A
As children of all ages move in and out of Catholic Charities’ two shelters – Harbor House Domestic Violence Shelter and St. Anthony Family Shelter – school supplies are in need all year long, not just at back-to-school time in August.
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Easy ways to support Catholic Charities
Supporting Catholic Charities can be as easy as shopping for yourself or your family. Register your Dillons reward card in the grocer’s Community Rewards Program and designate Catholic Charities, Inc., Wichita (Code XT082) to receive a rebate based on your purchase.
Shop at Dillons to help Our Daily Bread Shop with Amazon Smile
The bright, primary colors reflect the children served in shelter. A welcoming shelter awaits a family of varying ages in front of it. The lines of the family are intertwined to show that they will stay together. The front door with the warm light welcomes them. The door of the home is also an “A” for “Anthony.” The heart represents the love within the shelter and the family. The green plant behind the family shows growth and life.”
New logo depicts St. Anthony’s family focus
The words “Catholic Charities” and the customized cross image from our primary logo connect St. Anthony to the larger organization.
Serving families is at the heart of St. Anthony Family Shelter, and that focus is now depicted in the ministry’s new logo designed by Trina Sanders ThereDesign.is meaning in every element of the new logo.
here are more households in southeast Kansas that need assistance to stabilize their housing and avoid homelessness than Southeast Kansas Services at Catholic Charities has the resources to help. In the past year, the Pittsburg-based staff helped nearly 500 households facing homelessness or housing instability. Sadly, a nearly equal number of households did not receive assistance due to a lack of funding. A new grant from the Knights of Columbus Endowed Fund at the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas will help improve those numbers by providing additional funds for critical assistance. “The generous grant from the Knights of Columbus Endowed Fund gives us dedicated funds for Crawford County, allowing us to spread other grant funding throughout our 11-county service area,” says Casey Brown, program director for Southeast Kansas Services. “The Housing and Supportive Services Project will be leveraged with other grants to provide permanent housing supportive solution services such as rental application fees, rental payments, utility payments, household supplies for cleaning and food as necessary,” Casey says. “The ultimate goal is for each client to create a plan that allows them to attain and maintain permanent housing stability.”
The Knights of Columbus Endowed Fund was established in 2021 by Pittsburg’s Broadway Tower Corporation using proceeds from the sale of the Knights of Columbus Tower. The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas hosts individual charitable funds created by donors who have a passion for giving back to their community. Grants from these funds assist people throughout southeast Kansas and beyond. Call the Foundation, (620) 231-8897 with questions about the Community Foundation.
The monies received through this program help Our Daily Bread Food Pantry purchase needed food items. Currently, just under 100 people have registered their cards in support of Catholic Charities, so there is room to grow. Visit Dillons.com to get started. When you purchase everyday items through Amazon Smile, Amazon donates a portion back to a charity of your choice. When you choose Catholic Charities – Diocese of Wichita, the clients we serve benefit. Amazon Smile is available to use in the Amazon app. Learn more by visiting smile.amazon.com.
K of C Endowed Fund allows SEK to help more people
LeAnneFaithfully,Miller F Kendra Scott hosted Ann Nash, St. Anthony Family Shelter program director, in June for a give back benefiting the families at St. Anthony.
WENDY GLICK Executive Director
Most Rev. Bishop Carl A. Kemme, D.D. Bishop of Wichita
Brian Kaiser Fint Hills Resources
Kevin Mullen Ritchie Associates, Inc. Stacie Myers
Catholic Charities Wichita is an independent agency that has served as the humanitarian arm of the Diocese of Wichita since 1943. Our sole focus is on serving the hungry, homeless, lonely, disabled and abused within the 25-county area that comprises the Diocese of Wichita. Our organization is completely separate from the nearly 170 agencies that also are known as Catholic Charities and serve within their own area of the United States. Each separate Catholic Charities entity has its own mission and programs suited for its area’s unique needs. The efforts of all Catholic Charities are humanitarian in nature, not political.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
more about efforts to serve migrants
Julian Guerra Community Volunteer Missy Hampel Ascension Via Christi Hospitals
By LeAnne Miller, Senior Director of Development or the past several months, we have heard from a growing number of donors wanting to understand who Catholic Charities is and the role the organization plays in serving people who are entering our country at the southern border. Many want assurances that the money they donate remains local and serves those seeking help in our community. I can assure you that all donations made to Catholic Charities – Diocese of Wichita stay within our local community to help those in need in southcentral and southeast Kansas. We do not send money to other Catholic Charities organizations unless we are specifically asked to do so by a donor; this rarely happens.
LEANNE MILLER Senior Director of Development
Chuck Marshall Community Volunteer
Buddy Shannon Tree Top Nursery Carol Streckfus Cohlmia Marketing Sr. Marsha Wilson, ASC Adoorers of the Blood of Christ
Local donations serve local Thankneedsyouto our community partners
CatholicCharitiesWichita.org
Stephen Hayes Five Point Ventures, LLC Mary Alice Johnson Kuman Learning Center
MARY BETH CHAMBERS Marketing CommunicationsandDirector
Kevin Mitchelson Wheeler & Mitchelson, Chartered Marcos Montemayor AM Law, LLC
Christopher J. Goebel, Chair Star Lumber & Supply Co., Inc. Andy Buessing, Vice Chair Hutton Fr. Daryl Befort Diocese of Wichita, St. Joseph Parish, Andale Scott Bergkamp Bergkamp Construction Monte Cook Commerce Bank
Wichita Business Journal
Deborah Gladney QuickHire
Some Catholic Charities agencies serve migrants and refugees along the border by providing for basic humanitarian needs such as food, shelter and clothing; assisting families with social work case management; providing asylum-seekers with immigration legal assistance; and resettling refugees from all corners of the world. Catholic Charities USA believes this is how they should best answer the call of the Gospel and Catholic social teaching regarding migrants. Many have coordinated services for migrants with the federal government for decades and across multiple administrations. That is not new. At Catholic Charities Wichita, we are focused on the needs of southcentral and southeast Kansas. We are not actively involved in providing humanitarian aid at the southern border, nor are we bringing migrants from the border to Kansas. Rest assured, every dollar donated to Catholic Charities Wichita is put to work serving the needs of those living in southcentral and southeast Kansas.
Soroptimist International of Wichita provided a donation benefiting the children and women staying at Harbor House Domestic Violence Shelter. We are so grateful for their continued support over many years. The First United Methodist Church Stillwater youth group traveled from Stillwater, OK, to volunteer at Harbor House! They helped beautify outdoor areas by cleaning the garden beds and water sealing the gazebo.We look forward to their yearly
visit!Learn
immigration/catholic-charities-usa-on-CatholicCharitiesUSA.org/at
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Catholic Charities infuses faith into our community through the care it shows all people
Grandparents serve in schools, early childhood programs, daycare centers and in the two Catholic Charities shelters to help children succeed and feel valued. Here is what is happening in the Catholic Charities ministries!
Ministry Corner
The participants at Adult Day Services are enjoying their new outdoor recreation area with splash pad days, picnics and fun outdoor activities.
Summer camp activities, planned with the help of the Foster Grandparent Program at Catholic Charities, are bringing smiles to their faces. Our classroom Foster Grandparents are ready for classes to start! In preparation for the school year, they celebrated their annual Back-toSchool ClassroomBash.Foster
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Wichita, KS Permit No. 152 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED CatholicCharitiesWichita.org(316)264-8344ST. JOSEPH PASTORAL CENTER 437 N. Topeka Street Wichita, KS 67202-2413
Our staff work hard to ensure children staying in shelter get to enjoy summer as all children should - with fun activities, a little learning and yummy treats!
