Giving back is something very close to our hearts at Friend That Cooks, and we have a new endeavor for 2021 we would LOVE your help with. The type of giving we think is particularly important is "direct aid". Direct aid is help that is given to people directly by individuals or groups that do not keep a piece of the donation for themselves. With many charities, when you make a donation, those items are being sold to produce revenue to fund overhead such as salaries, buildings and equipment that do not "directly" aid those in need.
These can still be very worthwhile charities, and we don't dissuade anyone from donating to them, but those charities are not the focus of our giving. We want to honor individuals and small groups that are 100% volunteer driven and take donations that are given directly to the houseless community or others in need. We promote donations of things like clothing, tents, space heaters, food, and other things that help people simply survive because society hasn't made it to that basic level of existance for everyone yet.
We hope you will join us in providing support to the individuals and groups below that are providing direct aid to those in need. We are personally vetting every person or organization submitted to us to verify they are indeed directing these donations to those in need. Simply click on the links they have provided and send them the supplies, or volunteer help, they need to give directly. You can navigate the list by metro area to see people to assist in any metro area we serve.
If you or someone you know provides direct aid to the homeless community or other individuals in need, please fill out the contact form below and request to have your information put on our list. We frequently promote this list to our large contact database, through social media and to conventional media outlets to try and bring support for those providing direct aid. When you fill out our form, we will review your information to verify it is supporting our mission to providing direct aid.
Name
Becky Reddin
Organization Name
Free Hot Soup - KC
Email to offer help
Phone
Call or text to offer help
Where To Help
Help fill an Amazon list to distribute
Make Dropoffs Here
Only drop off items in good condition at this address
How We Help
I serve meals in Bob Doughtry Park in Leavenworth Ks on Satuday at 2pm. On Tuesday and Thursday i make and take sack lunches to them in Lv. Anyone is welcome to bring food to the park on Saturdays. Then throughout the wk i will make up nonperishable sacks and drive around Missouri and pass it out to whoever needs something to eat.
Most Needed
Snack and non-perishable food items
Name
Lea Ann Martin
Organization Name
Free Hot Soup - KC
Email to offer help
Phone
Call or text to offer help
Where To Help
Help fill an Amazon list to distribute
Make Dropoffs Here
Only drop off items in good condition at this address
How We Help
I provide Outreach services to the homeless community in northeast Kansas City all the way to downtown, I see about 40 to 60 homeless people a day depending on the weather. I provide food, clothing, survival supplies and hygiene. I can and do fill out disability paperwork, Missouri SRS paperwork etc for people who are unable to fill out that paperwork for themselves. I often have no time to cook for myself or feed myself because I spend 12 to 16 hours a day assisting homeless people with the things they need. However, I am happy to do this because homelessness in Kansas City is an atrocity and I believe it is fixable.
Most Needed
I could be best assisted by people purchasing items from my wish list, those items go directly to the homeless community.
Name
Anton Washington
Organization Name
Creative Innovative Entrepreneurs
Email to offer help
Phone
Call or text to offer help
Where To Help
Help fill an Amazon list to distribute
Make Dropoffs Here
Only drop off items in good condition at this address
How We Help
We provide extreme weather gear to accommodate folx who are experiencing life outside. We also assist with transportation to important appointments to gain temporary shelter, medical care, employment, housing, and other social services. We connect people to social service centers, and offer other emotional and physical support for the difficulties of houselessness.
Most Needed
We are in constant need of extreme weather gear such as insulated coveralls, tarps, tents and weatherproof boots. We also need fire safety tools, in the case of fire as people try to stay warm: fire extinguishing blankets, fire extinguishers, and fire retardant sprays.
Name
Carolyn Knarr
Organization Name
Independent
Email to offer help
Phone
Call or text to offer help
Where To Help
Help fill an Amazon list to distribute
Make Dropoffs Here
Only drop off items in good condition at this address
How We Help
I have been going to downtown St. Louis for the past 6 months to minister to our neighbors on the streets every Sunday morning. We provide them with a hot meal, clothes, sleeping bags, tents, or any other items we have collected or purchased from second hand stores. Our goal is not only to meet their material needs but to build relationships, trust, and dignity.
Most Needed
Sleeping bags, men's jackets, hoodies, sweat pants, socks, hand warmers, tarps, outdoor shoes or boots. Snacks and water bottles.
Name
April Holt
Organization Name
Crazy Sack Lady
Email to offer help
Phone
Call or text to offer help
Where To Help
Amazon wish list to come...
Make Dropoffs Here
Only drop off items in good condition at this address
How We Help
I am out daily around people without homes. I have a heart felt need to watch over our people with extreme mental illness that are incapable of taking care of themselves, and there seems to be no place for them to go. I'm tracking them down in cold weather, making sure they have coats and shoes or a rain pancho. I feel they might die out there someday, but not today on my watch if I can prevent it. They are not invisible, they all have a story. If you're willing to listen, they'll tell you.
Most Needed
Non perishable snack foods, sleeping bags, tents