06 Mar Metro Lutheran Ministries (MLM) Recently Received a $20,000 Grant From United Way of Wyandotte County
Metro Lutheran Ministries (MLM) was recently awarded a $20,000 grant from United Way of Wyandotte County to support their Wyandotte Community Care Services program.
Wyandotte Community Care Services provides emergency food assistance, emergency utility and housing assistance, and case management services for clients. Emergency food assistance includes a food pantry, senior commodities distribution and a Saturday morning breakfast. Utility and housing assistance includes funding to a landlord, mortgage holder, or utility provider to help stabilize the housing situation of clients. Case management includes information and referrals to additional government and community resources.
MLM Community Care activities and outcomes focus on providing food to clients through its food pantry, housing to clients through emergency assistance for rent, utilities, and lodging, and clothing to clients. The goals are to provide food to families each month and for clients to remain housed for 90 days to one year after receiving assistance for rent or utilities. Upon presentation of an eviction/foreclosure or utility shut-off notice, clients are assessed to determine income eligibility, bill payment history, and the ability to maintain self-sufficiency after receiving emergency assistance. For qualifying households, MLM issues a payment voucher directly to the service provider. Clients may shop in the pantry once every 30 days for the equivalent of at least 21 household meals. For additional needs, MLM provides information regarding government and community resources and referrals to other service agencies.
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.