In the Spring of 2026, Woods Chapel Church in Lee’s Summit received a Foundation ministry grant to purchase produce, hotdogs, hamburgers, and other pantry staples for the Grace Place Food Pantry. The food pantry helps families in Lee’s Summit, Raytown, and Blue Springs who are experiencing financial hardship.
Here are a few stories from Grace Place volunteers that show the food pantry in action:
- A young man had just lost his job. He heard about the pantry, and it was his first visit. He was so grateful for a place to help meet his family’s basic food needs.
- A guest who became disabled through a car accident was no longer able to work and had filed for disability. As she was waiting for approval, she was without income and was so grateful for the food pantry to help her meet the basic needs of her family.
- Grandparents who are raising a grandchild come to the food pantry as they are living on a limited income and taking on a dependent at this stage of life.
- A man came in for the first time looking somewhat anxious. He had a driver’s license and several other cards in his hand and asked what he needed to show for ID. He was told that he didn’t need to show anything and that he was welcome. He was given a cart, told how the pantry worked, and was offered assistance if he had any questions. When he was done, he thanked the volunteers and said, “You just don’t know how much this helps. God bless you.”
These stories aren’t just about feeding the community. As one volunteer puts it, they’re about making the community feel included, accepted, and loved. Thank you, Grace Place, for all you do!
What are YOU dreaming of for YOUR church?
Twice each year, the Foundation Board receives and considers proposals for ministry projects from United Methodist churches and related agencies throughout Missouri. Applications can be found here, and must be postmarked by April 1 for Spring consideration and October 1 for Winter consideration.