04 Feb Metro Lutheran Ministries (MLM) Receives $15,000 Grant From the Jacob L. and Ella C. Loose Foundation

Metro Lutheran Ministries (MLM) recently received a grant for $15,000 from the Jacob L. and Ella C. Loose Foundation to support direct services to poor and needy children and families in Jackson County/Kansas City, Missouri through MLM’s Community Care Program.

Community Care provides food, emergency assistance, and case management to help families break the cycle of poverty in two locations, Midtown (3031 Holmes Street) and Northland (1104 NE Vivion).

MLM offers both immediate and sustaining resources to stabilize families in financial crisis.  Food pantries at both locations are open 250 days per year.  On average 50 clients per day receive an estimated 21 meals for their family once a month. Once a month, MLM partners with Harvesters to offer a Mobile Food Pantry at Midtown, which includes bread, frozen meats, fresh fruits, and vegetables.  MLM also partners with Harvesters to provide weekend meals through the Back Snack program for children at seven elementary schools in Jackson County.  MLM also provides a weekly Saturday breakfast for low-income and homeless people, including children at True Light Family Resource Center.  Families presenting an eviction or utility shut-off notice can receive emergency payment vouchers issued directly to their landlord or utility company up to two times a year for total assistance of no more than $500.  Beyond emergency assistance, Community Care Coordinators help clients identify and cultivate personal strengths to overcome barriers to income stability and help families connect with available community services that address the family’s specific needs.

In 1971, Lutheran congregations in Kansas City established Metro Lutheran Ministry (MLM) with the motivation to minister to the poor, homeless, elderly and disabled.  Throughout its history, MLM has been one of Kansas City’s pioneering social service agencies, organizing innovative and effective social service and emergency assistance programs to meet the needs of the poorest of the poor.  A 501(c)(3) nonprofit social service agency, Metro Lutheran Ministry (MLM) helps disadvantaged people of all races, religions and nationalities in the urban areas of Jackson, Clay and Platte counties in Missouri and Wyandotte and Johnson counties in Kansas.  MLM uses a holistic approach with strengths and outcome-based counseling and case management, which guide receptive clients toward greater independence and self-reliance.