Congratulations to Robert & Mona Abney, the winners of a new Harley-Davidson from our friends at Alefs Harley Davidson and their Jam the Trailer promotion this Holiday season.  They raised an amazing $8,750 and collected over one and a half tons of food!  Way to go Alefs!

Vicki Escerra, President and CEO of Feeding America, visited the Kansas Food Bank in November.  Vicki was in town adressing Cargill employees during their Global Poverty & Hunger Relief Awareness Week.  The Kansas Food Bank is a member of Feeding America and we were thrilled to have Vicki come visit and show her our facility.

This past year alone we had 5.345 people volunteer at one time or another at the Food Bank.  Those hours totaled to an amazing 24,052 hours.  The talents our volunteers bring to the table are beyond what we can describe.  Volunteers help us in the office, they help us sort and pack millions of pounds of food, they help us do things we never thought we could do.  We rely heavily on volunteers to help us fulfill our mission and complete the day to day work we need to do.  We could not do what we do without them!

As we started the Holiday distribution, we received over 2,400 turkeys from our friends at Cargill.  I made it a point to go to the first pantry that was passing out the turkeys.  This particular pantry is open one evening a month and is located in South Wichita.  A middle aged man who had a little girl with him, pulled me aside and asked me to pass this message along,  “Since you work for the Food Bank, will you please tell the people at Cargill that donated the turkeys Thank you from me & my family.  I did not know how I would be able to afford Thanksgiving this year.  Times are really tough right now and I am so happy I was able to get this food for my family.  I know there are people that look down on me because I can’t afford my bills, but I want you to know how grateful I am to you and the kind folks at Cargill for my turkey.  You have made it possible for my family to have a real Thanksgiving dinner.”  It was all I could do to hold back the tears. When you walk the lines at the pantries, you see true poverty up close and personal.  I know that everyone there that night appreciated the gift of food that they received.

Debi Kreutzman
Community Relations Manager

We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Merrill Thomas will be donating all the proceeds of his annual calendar sales to the Kansas Food Bank.  Each year, Dr. Thomas creates a calendar from his photography.  This year there will be two calendars:  one of Wichita images, one of landscapes from America – this year Big Sur Coastline and Zion National Park.  The full color calendars open to a 10 x 20 inch size with an image on the top page and the calendar on the bottom.  The cost of the calendar is $20 for one, and $18 for each additional calendar.  Orders are due no later than Dec 1 so that they may be distributed by Dec 15^th.  Just in time for the perfect Christmas gift. The order must be prepaid.  For more information and to place your order, please contact Merrill Thomas, 1431 Dry Creek Ct, Derby KS 67037 or call 788-3708.  You vist Dr. Thomas’ website at www.docthomasimaging.com or e-mail him at merrill.thomas@sbcglobal.net. 

2011 Calendar Order Form (pdf)

Rio Roses is continuing at all three Via Christi Gift Shops thru Nov 30th.    Receive 6 FREE Rio Roses with any 6 food pantry items or a $6.00 donation to the Kansas Food Bank.

Our friends at Great Clips at New Market Square, 21st and Maize road are collecting food!  Bring in any canned food donation and for every item donated, receive a coupon for a $6.99 hair cut!  This promotion runs from October 30th to November 15th.  Give Stacy a call at 773-2366 to find out more information and schedule your appointment!

Larry Gunkel, our Food 4 Kids Coordinator has been selected as the 2010 Humanitarian of the Year by the National Letter Carriers Association.  Larry will be presented with the award in Washington, DC on Thursday, October 7th. 

Using his branch leadership skills and food drive expertise, Larry has made it a personal mission to stamp out hunger in Kansas. 

We are very proud to have Larry as part of the Kansas Food Bank Team! 

This October our friends at West Wichita Therapeutic Massage, 8629 W Central,  will once again hold their annual food drive to benefit the Kansas Food Bank. 

During the month of October, bring in a food or cash donation and receive a sweet treat with a special surprise!  

Everyone who donates and receives a massage in October will be eligible to win a door prize valued over $75.00.

It’s their way of giving back to the community and stocking the shelves of people in need this upcoming Holiday season. 

For more information and to schedule your massage, please contact 773-0300.

Our friends at Hu Hot Mongolian Grill have a deal for you! 

During the month of October, each person who brings in 5 non-perishable food items will receive a half price meal.  So, if everyone in your party brings 5 items, everyone gets half off.   And that is not just one time a month, that can be lunch and dinner every day!    

Hu Hot is located at 21st and Rock Road  and offers a fun and entertaining dining experience.  Create your own Asian stir-fry.  Customize your Mongolian BBQ masterpiece, then watch while it is cooked on their enormous grill.

Thanks HuHot for helping us collect food for those in need!