Harvesters’ south KC free food delivery schedule

Free Food Available

By John Sharp

Free fresh fruit and vegetable and other healthy food furnished by Harvesters may be picked up by persons in need during December at six mobile food pantries in south Kansas City.

The first event will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. as long as food is left Friday, December 11, at the Center School District warehouse, 8701 Holmes Rd.  Persons should go to the entrance to the Center Administrative Office and drive through the bus parking lot to the warehouse where volunteers will load the food.  The event is sponsored by the Center Education Foundation in partnership with the school district.

The second event will be from 7 to 8:30 a.m. Saturday, December 12, at Evangel Church, 1414 E. 103rd St.  Persons may remain in their vehicles, and food will be brought to them.  The event is sponsored by the church.

The third event will start with vehicles lining up at 8:30 a.m. and contactless food distribution running from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, December 16, at United Believers Community Church, 5600 E. 112th Ter.  The event is sponsored by the church.

The fourth event will be from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, December 17, at Ruskin High School, 7000 E. 111th St.  Vehicles should line up on Ruskin Way on the east side of the school, and food will be loaded in the vehicles when they reach the school by staff and student volunteers.  The event is sponsored by the school and Community Assistance Council.  Ruskin Principal Torrence Allen reported November’s food distribution attracted a record number of families seeking help, with vehicles stretching almost completely around the campus. 

The fifth event will start with registration beginning at 8 a.m. and food distribution running from 8:30 to about 10 a.m. Saturday, December 19, at Colonial Presbyterian Church, 9500 Wornall Rd.  Families are asked to bring two cardboard boxes for volunteers to put the food in.  The event is sponsored by the church.

The sixth event will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. as long as food is left Saturday, December 19, at Center High School, 8715 Holmes Rd.  Volunteers will load food into the vehicles.  The event is sponsored by Three Trails Community church and the Center School District.

Persons needing food also may pick up pre-packaged boxes of food by appointment at the Community Assistance Council (CAC) at 10901 Blue Ridge Blvd. on the north end of the Ruskin High School campus.  CAC staff and volunteers will take boxes of food outside to persons’ vehicles.

Food pickup is available from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday each week and from 9 to noon Saturday, December 12.  Deliveries for homebound persons take place on Thursdays.  People should call CAC at 816-763-3277, extension 100, to make an appointment.