Provide for basic human needs. Promote positive life changes. Restore hope and protect dignity.
Originally called Urban Ministries, United Methodist Open Door (Open Door) and has been serving the community for 56 years, since 1965. We provide 5 community programs in Wichita/Sedgwick County and through our senior food program we serve a total of 11 surrounding counties. Our Food Distribution pantry is the largest in Wichita, and our Homeless Resource and Referral center is the largest homeless day shelter.
In Kansas, under-employment and low household income are key factors in the high need for food assistance. 71 percent of families utilizing food pantries have incomes at or below the federal poverty level. 54 percent of families served through Open Door’s Community Food Ministry have yearly incomes of less than $10,000.
A one-day “snapshot” taken on Jan. 30, 2020, counted 619 literally homeless people in Sedgwick County. “Literally homeless” means just that. These people are surviving on the streets, in their cars, or in shelters. It does not include people living at hotels/motels or staying with family or friends.
The FRRH program has saved me and my family’s life as I was in a domestic violence relationship. Nita was so helpful and had me set goals and my family was able to get shelter and counseling. I filed for divorce, got a promotion at work, and saved to buy my first car. I will be talking about this program for the rest of my life. I am so grateful
Family Rapid Re-housing Program helps families to quickly regain stability in permanent housing and increase self-sufficiency. 100% of families who graduated last grant cycle still remained in housing in grant calendar year 2020
Thank you! Because of you, adults and children were provided a nutritious meal.
Recently, a client called to thank Open Door’s Community Food Ministry for helping her and stated she has other family members that need food assistance because of layoffs due to Covid-19. The family members lived in Mulvane & Goddard. She was very concerned because young children in these families were crying due to their hunger. This client was thrilled to hear that Open Door helps clients in Wichita and the surrounding areas.
We hope shoppers find something; they tell us they always do. A huge THANKS goes out to our community such as the United Way, the many churches, business and individual donors who make this possible. It takes a Village.
The Open Door has been a blessing, a refuge, a place when you have no other. Bless all who run it
A place of compassion and real attempts to understand
These people are saving lives, it’s incredible. They are kind, fast, professional, and offer a large portion of balanced food choices.
Thank you so much, I’ve been living check-to-check and UMOD makes it so much easier to feed my family!
Excellent service and friendly staff
If it wasn’t for you guys I would go hungry. Thank you.
Their kindness and generosity is without compare. I am so grateful and appreciative for all they do and their work for us through Christ.
Annual Turkey Drive Fundraiser
For the past 15 years, Open Door has partnered with the Wichita Public School District to host the Turkey Drive Fundraiser. Over 40,000 households and 100,000 individuals have received turkey dinners from Open Door’s Community Food Ministry in the past 14 years.
Community partners also include: iHeart Radio, B-98FM Radio, Kansas Food Bank, Cargill, Kroger, and Wichita Water Walk
We are always in need of caring, friendly people to serve in our ministries.
Also known as non-cash contributions, in-kind donations are gifts of goods or services.
The Giving Hope Society is a group of dedicated annual donors who join to support our mission.