Culturally Appropriate Food Boxes Now Available in Wyandotte County

Published on March 17, 2023

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Summary

  • The Unified Government Public Health Department, Wyandotte County Health Equity Task Force, Aetna Better Health of Kansas, and Harvesters have partnered to provide culturally appropriate food boxes at neighborhood clinic events in Wyandotte County.
  • Community organizations identified the need to provide culturally appropriate food items to better serve the diverse communities across Wyandotte County.
  • Food boxes are available at participating events, free of charge, while supplies last.
  • Community members can provide feedback on this food box pilot program by filling out an online survey (click link here). 
  • Find a calendar of upcoming Neighborhood Clinic Events with COVID testing, COVID vaccines, free food, and other resources at: wycohetf.org/neighborhood-clinics

The Unified Government Public Health Department (UGPHD), Wyandotte County Health Equity Task Force (HETF), Aetna Better Health of Kansas, and Harvesters have partnered to provide culturally appropriate food boxes at neighborhood clinic events in Wyandotte County. This need was identified by the HETF and its community health partners who had previously provided food at community events. Because the community members they serve come from diverse communities, community organizations identified the need to include cultural food items that their community members want.

According to Feeding America, approximately 13% of people in Wyandotte County (over 21,000 people) experience food insecurity. This disproportionately impacts communities of color, with 25% of Black and 18% of Latino or Hispanic community members considered food insecure, compared to 10% of white non-Hispanic community members.

“These culturally appropriate food boxes will help people in Wyandotte County not only feed their families, but also have food that is familiar, that they know how to prepare, and that we hope their families will enjoy,” said Ambur Banner, Acting Director of the UGPHD. “We know that many people in our community are considered food insecure, meaning they have limited or uncertain access to food and to nutritionally adequate foods."

"We also know that food insecurity is much higher among communities of color. To address these issues in the long term, it will take organizations from many sectors and community members working together to address systemic issues that limit access and create inequitable access to food and other basic needs. In the immediate term, individuals and families need food today – these food boxes help meet that need. The boxes are designed to provide a complete meal, so recipients are less likely to need to travel elsewhere to supplement essentials to feed their families that night.”

Items included in the food boxes:

Box A

Box B

  • Diced Tomatoes
  • Corn
  • Corn Masa
  • Rice
  • Pinto Beans
  • Sliced Jalapenos
  • Lentils
  • Garbanzos Beans
  • Potatoes
  • Cilantro
  • Habanera Sauce
  • Chilorio pork
  • Stuffing
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Cranberry sauce
  • Corn muffin mix
  • 2 cans of green beans
  • 2 cans of corn
  • Cream of mushroom
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Macaroni
  • Pineapple
  • Shredded chicken

 

Items provided may vary slightly from the lists above depending on availability. Any replacement items will be similar to what is listed. In addition to food items, events with Box B and some events with Box A will include a few pairs of socks in multiple sizes.

The culturally appropriate food boxes are part of a pilot program distributing more than 450 food boxes in March and April 2023. People who receive food boxes will be asked to complete a short survey to help assess food needs and satisfaction with the culturally appropriate food boxes. Community input will help inform future food access initiatives, including the potential continuation of this food box distribution longer term.

Any community member can provide feedback about the food boxes pilot program by filling out an online survey:

Food Box Program Survey

Find Upcoming Events

Community members who are interested in receiving a food box can check the HETF Neighborhood Clinics calendar for upcoming events and look for events with “FOOD BOXES-CA” listed next to the event. Find the calendar at: wycohetf.org/neighborhood-clinics

Here are a few of the upcoming events providing food boxes, while supplies last.

Saturday, March 18

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Sacred Heart Church

2646 S 34th St, Kansas City, KS 66106

COVID vaccines, COVID testing, COVID home test kits and more!

Friday, March 24

5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

JUNTOS at Intercambio

1714 Central Ave, Kansas City, KS 66102

COVID vaccines, COVID testing, and COVID home test kits


Wednesday, March 29

8:30 am – 5:00 pm

Miracle Temple Church of God in Christ

2106 Quindaro Blvd, Kansas City, KS 66104

COVID vaccines, COVID testing, and COVID home test kits

Find out more about upcoming events at: wycohetf.org/neighborhood-clinics

 

Box A
Items Box A

Box B Image
Items Box B