ur Daily Bread Food Pantry provides more than just food. It offers dignity, kindness and community to those who visit. Two long-time visitors, Constance and Susie, share how the pantry has positively impacted their lives.
Constance often visits the pantry on a Tuesday during any given month of the year. She appreciates the choice food model, where patrons can select preferred items rather than receiving pre-packaged bags. “I like it here because you can pick what items you like,” Constance said. Fresh produce, especially garden vegetables like green beans, is a highlight for her. The welcoming atmosphere and friendly volunteers make each visit enjoyable. “The workers are all good—nice, with a great sense of humor,” she added.
“People
like Constance, work part-time or live on fixed incomes, making it difficult to stretch their budgets to cover all their needs. The pantry’s system empowers people to choose the foods that best fit their dietary needs and preferences, promoting dignity and reducing food waste.
often have to choose between paying the bills or buying food for their children. That is where we can help.”
- Derek Tyler, Our Daily Bread Program Director
Fresh produce, proteins, and pantry staples ensure that families have access to healthy and balanced meals, especially during challenging times. For patrons like Susie, the pantry helps eliminate the need to choose between paying her rent or feeding her family when finances are stretched or unexpected expenses arise.
Susie has been coming to the pantry for nearly eight years, ever since her sister passed away. For her, the pantry provides more than just food. It’s a lifeline. “Without Catholic Charities, I wouldn’t be able to feed my family,” Susie shared emotionally. “They’re the sweetest, most kind-hearted people. You guys are awesome.”
The unique choice food pantry plays a crucial role in helping individuals and families bridge the food gaps they face each month. Many patrons,
Both Constance and Susie’s stories are a testament to how Catholic Charities not only provides food but extends a helping hand to stabilize and empower people experiencing hunger when facing difficult times. The pantry is more than just a place to pick up groceries; it’s a community where compassion and respect are at the heart of every interaction as we answer God’s call to serve all people.
To learn more about Our Daily Bread or how you can support the food pantry by hosting a food drive, making a donation, volunteering or through prayer, visit CatholicCharitiesWichita.org/ODB
C ONNECTIONS CATHOLIC CHARITIES
Chris Flippo Director of Development
Chris Acton Development Manager
Meet the development leaders
Chris Flippo has joined Catholic Charities as the director of development. She brings an accomplished background in fund development and strategic planning.
Flippo hit the ground running and will lead a comprehensive fund development program to ensure the agency's financial prosperity, allowing Catholic Charities to continue providing best-in-class services to those in need.
Catholic Charities welcomes Chris Acton as the new development manager. His lead generation knowledge will be an asset to Catholic Charities.
Acton will play a key role in securing long-term partners, cultivating meaningful relationships and leading fundraising events to generate essential funding for the agency. With a focus on sustainability and growth, he is dedicated to building strong community connections that support the agency’s mission.
Love is in the air
By Traci Kennedy, Executive Director
ove is such a simple word, yet it carries profound meaning and responsibility.
As I reflect on its depth, I find myself humming Fr. Peter Scholtes’ hymn, “They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love.” The lyrics serve as both an inspiration and a challenge, reminding us that love is not merely a feeling but an action and a visible sign of our faith.
Love calls us to serve, to forgive, and to show kindness even when it is difficult.
Our work at Catholic Charities is a love that moves us beyond words into encounters of care and compassion. As I ponder this, I realize how important it is to embody love in our daily lives through our interactions and our service. The
Become a Servant of Hope
Supporting Catholic Charities through recurring gifts is vital to sustaining our mission to serve people in need. Monthly or quarterly contributions provide a stable income, helping us accurately forecast and budget for the needs of our programs.
The generosity of recurring donors ensures that participants always have access to essential resources, offering hope and empowering families to build brighter futures. Donors who commit to making monthly or quarterly gifts become part of our Servants of Hope recurring giving program, joining a compassionate community dedicated to making a lasting impact. Prayerfully consider becoming a Servant of Hope and helping us answer God's call to serve all people with love and compassion.
To learn more, scan the QR code above or visit CatholicCharitiesWichita. org/Servants-of-Hope.
words in the hymn are very moving. “We will work with each other, we will work side by side.” What an honor it is to work together as we love people in the most need.
Love allows us to feed a wife and mother named Susie and her family at Our Daily Bread Food Pantry. Love lets us provide a beautiful facility where adults who live with disabilities receive care and support while their families receive respite at Adult Day Services. Love allows us to provide a safe place for hurt and homeless children and parents at Harbor House and St. Anthony Family Shelter for residents like Dee and her two children.
I am truly grateful for the generous support we receive from our donors and community, which is a testament to love.
It allows us to put love into action to make a profound difference in the lives of the people we serve, offering hope, dignity, and a reminder that they are not alone.
May we continue to be known for loving universally as we lift up others. In a world that often feels divided and uncertain, may our love be a guiding light that points back to the One who first loved us.
With sincere gratitude,
Most needed items:
Canned chicken, tuna, seafood and SPAM
Canned peaches and mixed fruit
Canned chili and beef stew
Soup, noodles and cereal
Lenten Food Drives
Our Daily Bread Food Pantry plays a critical role in feeding hungry people in our community. Over the past year, we’ve experienced a 21% increase in visitors, and we anticipate the demand to increase as we near the end of the school year.
Lent invites us to reflect on sacrifice, not just by fasting, but by giving more of ourselves to others. While we often focus on what we can give up, we can also choose to give—using our small sacrifices to make a real impact. For example, skipping a morning coffee and redirecting those dollars to support someone in need, reminds others that we see them and are here for them.
Even a small contribution can help ease someone's burden and bring hope to those in need during this season of reflection and generosity
You or your organization can support hungry families in our community by:
Hosting a food drive
Volunteering at the pantry
Hosting a cash donation drive
Picking up a few extra items at the grocery store
Purchased item donations can be dropped off at 437 N. Topeka St., Tues.-Fri between 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Scan the QR code to fill out our donation drive form.
Together, we can make a difference
Catholic Charities depends on our dedicated staff and volunteers, and together, we accomplish great things in our programs every day.
We are blessed with excellent and compassionate staff who work tirelessly and serve as the heart of our agency. Their commitment and dedication ensure that people in need receive the care and support they deserve.
During this Volunteer Appreciation Month, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of our incredible volunteers. They are truly the hands and feet of Jesus, playing a vital role in the success of our programs. Catholic Charities relies on volunteers of all ages to support essential services such as Our Daily Bread Food Pantry, Harbor House Domestic Violence Shelter, St. Anthony Family Shelter, Adult Day Services, Cana Counseling, and many more. These individuals answer the call to serve, making a meaningful impact in our community.
If you want to make a difference, create lasting memories, or form new friendships, visit CatholicCharitiesWichita.org to learn more about volunteer opportunities.
The gift of gratitude
Catholic Charities of Wichita has relied on individuals, families, foundations and businesses to be able to serve thousands of people each year, and we are truly thankful for the opportunity to share God’s love with people experiencing poverty, abuse, homelessness or living with disability.
During the Night of Joy, we honored several people who share in our mission as part of a recognition program that was created to inspire current and future donors to
Hannah and Rich Kerschen Caritas Outstanding Philanthropist Recipients
Presented to outstanding donors who exemplify charity and Christian love of humankind demonstrated by giving to Catholic Charities for 20 or more years.
Hannah and Rich have been married for 56 years and Church of the Magdalen has been their home parish for over 47 years. They have three children and eight grandchildren.
Hannah and Rich feel that one of the most important decisions they made in their married life was to commit to living a stewardship way of life and giving back to God in gratitude for what He has given them.
The Kerschens came from humble beginnings, so it is very important to them to support ministries that deal with the needs of people in challenging situations, like St. Anthony Family Shelter, Harbor House, and the ministry that closely touches their lives the most, Adult Day Services, which serves adults with special needs like their grandson, Charlie. Hannah and Rich have been sharing their financial treasure with Catholic Charities for more than 32 years, in addition to sharing their time and talents with our agency. Rich is a past Catholic Charities board chair and former St. Anthony Family Shelter advisory board member.
Hannah and Rich believe strongly in the Golden Rule—to treat others the way they would want to be treated in the face of challenges. They have found inspiration from Bishop Gerber and their grandson, Charlie. They hope and pray that the way they live will have a positive impact on their family, who are the most important people in their lives.
What is Night of Joy?
Night of Joy is a gratitude gala through which we show our appreciation to people who made significant contributions of time, talents and treasure during the previous year.
Night of Joy is quickly becoming one of the highly anticipated annual galas in the Wichita community. More than 250 people gathered at the B-29 Doc Hanger, Education & Visitors Center on February 15 for an evening of food, entertainment, fellowship and giving.
Guests enjoyed a plated dinner, a live jazz band and moments of gratitude for our donors hosted by Traci Kennedy, executive director and Andy Buessing, board chair.
To learn more about the 2026 Night of Joy, contact Chris Flippo at 316-264-8344, ext. 1221 or CFlippo@CatholicCharitiesWichita.org.
Feb. 14, 2026
Catholic Charities releases new community impact video
atholic Charities of Wichita is dedicated to transforming lives through compassionate care and essential services. Our latest video highlights the profound impact we have on individuals and families in need across a 25-county area in south central and southeast Kansas.
Every day, Catholic Charities works to fulfill our mission to stabilize and empower those experiencing poverty, abuse, homelessness, or living with disability, while preserving their human dignity in programs like Harbor House Domestic Violence Shelter, St. Anthony Family Shelter, Adult Day Services, Our Daily Bread Food Pantry, Cana Counseling, and many more.
We invite you to watch the video to see how we are making a difference in the lives of the people we serve. The objective of the video is that if we all if we work together, we can answer God’s call to serve people in need.
Our video can be found by scanning the QR code or by visiting bit.ly/CCW-ChangingLives.
Visit CatholicCharitiesWichita.org to learn more about Catholic Charities, how you can get involved, to make a gift or to access the community's services.
Enrolling seniors at Adult Day Services
Adult Day Services provides affordable, quality day programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and seniors aged 55 and older facing dementia, Alzheimer's, or loneliness.
Our day programs for seniors offer opportunities for socialization and community connectivity. The program helps caregivers balance work and other aspects of daily living with their responsibilities to care for their loved ones.
Group and individual activities
Community outings
Educational programs
Nursing services
Care coordination
Daily hot meals
Learn more at AdultDayServicesWichita.org or schedule a tour by calling 316-942-2008.
NOW HIRING
Seeking Foster Grandparent Program Director
Catholic Charities is seeking a dedicated program director for the Foster Grandparent Program, which connects senior citizens with children through tutoring, mentoring, and emotional support to help children succeed in schools, daycare centers, and shelters. The program director will oversee the AmeriCorps Seniors grant program, providing training, supervision, and guidance to staff and participants.
Ideal candidates will have a bachelor’s degree, along with experience in aging or mentoring programs and supervisory roles. Make a difference in the lives of children and seniors!
Scan the QR code to apply or visit CCWJobs.com
Housing stabilization at Catholic Charities’ Pittsburg office
Catholic Charities' southeast Kansas office stands as the leading housing stabilization agency in Pittsburg and the surrounding 11-county region. Despite having to relocate earlier this year and unveiling a new sign at its updated location, the office has remained steadfast in its mission to serve the community.
The Pittsburg office offers wraparound services designed to help individuals and families maintain stable housing while working toward sustainable, long-term goals. In addition to general housing support, the office provides specialized assistance for domestic violence survivors and veterans through targeted outreach programs.
The SAFE Project, funded by the Kansas Department for Children and Families, is a collaborative initiative focused on safety, advocacy, finances, and employment for survivors of domestic violence. This program empowers individuals with the resources and support needed to rebuild their lives.
Additionally, Catholic Charities’ Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program provides critical housing assistance to veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness. By offering financial aid, case management, and connections to essential services, the program helps those who served our country regain stability and independence.
Through these efforts, the Catholic Charities Pittsburg office remains a dependable community resource, ensuring that individuals and families in southeast Kansas have access to the assistance they need for a secure and stable future.
For more information on Catholic Charities’ southeast Kansas location or how you can make a gift, visit CatholicCharitiesWichita.org/SEK.
Catholic Charities Southeast Kansas Services was awarded the Rita J. Bicknell Women’s Health Fund giving circles grant from the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas. The funds will assist in providing furniture and household items along with financial education and case management services to help survivors of domestic violence achieve long-term financial and housing stability.
Un"bee"lieveable women doing great things
We're looking for Queen Bee nominees who mean bees-ness for our shelters!
Catholic Charities invites you to nominate a special woman in your life who is passionate about introducing family, friends and coworkers to the work of Harbor House Domestic Violence Shelter and St. Anthony Family Shelter in an effort to raise awareness and critical financial support.
For six weeks each fall, Queen Bees will share their platform to raise funds for shelter survivors of domestic violence and homeless
families. Our development team provides access to an online giving platform, a host of tools and guidance to help each Queen Bee have a successful campaign.
Learn More
If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please connect with Chris Acton, by calling 316-264-8344, ext. 1262 or emailing CActon@CatholicCharitiesWichita.org
Catholic Charities infuses faith into our community through the care it shows all people
Ministry Corner
Adult Day Services celebrated Mardi Gras with masks and a parade.
Kindergarten students from Magdalen Catholic School put their faith into action by hosting a food drive for Our Daily Bread. They personally delivered the donations and stocked the shelves at the food pantry.
The Kansas Department for Children and Families Pre-employment Transition Services group stopped by to give a helping hand at Our Daily Bread.
