Local Outreach
No matter where we are in the city, or how the times change, there will always be someone whom we can help. We are called to respond to “the least of these,” and serving another one of God’s children more fully informs our own faith journey. Below are some of the customary ways in which we serve the local community, although we are always looking to reach out to our community in new and life-giving ways.
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Our Local Outreach Activities & Partners
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If you are looking for assistance, and one of our services below does not meet your need, please visit this website for further assistance information.
Kansas Community Services by Harvest America Corporation
Kansas Community Services by Harvest America Corporation
14th Annual Dialogue Institute Friendship Dinner
Dialogue Institute of Kansas City and UMKC Office of Diversity and Inclusion are cordially inviting you to the 14th Annual Dialogue and Friendship Dinner on March 28th, 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. at UMKC Student Union, 401. OPCC has enjoyed a strong connection with the Dialogue Institute of Kansas City welcoming them to OPCC for fast breaking Ramadan dinners and interfaith dialogues.in recent years. Our very own Ed Eilert, and Rev. Bill Rose-Heim of the Greater Kansas City Christian Church (DOC) are both serving on the Host Committee for this dinner. If you would like to join us in supporting this partnership we’d love to have you at this dinner. You can purchase tickets to this dinner by clicking here.
In our partnership with KC for Refugees, OPCC Hosted the KC Interfaith Vigil for Immigrants & Refugees in February 2017
Thank you Resistance KC Photography for capturing this event!
Overland Park Christian Church Food Pantry
One Tuesday evening and one Saturday morning each month OPCC offers a food pantry to those in need. Through donations made by our OPCC friends and family, and purchases (at a reduced price) from Harvesters Community Food Network our food pantry gives a helping hand to those in need. While the availability of food is always a little different, each time it is offered, OPCC offers significant help with some basic needs for those struggling with food insecurity. Click here for information on the dates, guidelines and FAQ's about our Food Pantry.
One Tuesday evening and one Saturday morning each month OPCC offers a food pantry to those in need. Through donations made by our OPCC friends and family, and purchases (at a reduced price) from Harvesters Community Food Network our food pantry gives a helping hand to those in need. While the availability of food is always a little different, each time it is offered, OPCC offers significant help with some basic needs for those struggling with food insecurity. Click here for information on the dates, guidelines and FAQ's about our Food Pantry.
MORE2
OPCC is a member organization of MORE2, the Metropolitan Organization for Racial and Economic Equity. MORE2 helps OPCC to join hands through building intentional relationships among the people in our faith communities. This builds broad grass roots participation so we can walk the path to social justice for our great metropolitan area. Together, with our faith as our guide, we claim the power to transform our bi-state metro region by overcoming obstacles to racial and economic equity in Kansas City. MORE2 is affiliated with the Gamaliel Foundation, an organizing network of affiliates in 21 states across the United States, in South Africa and in the United Kingdom. Gamaliel represents over a million members of various faiths and cultures who work for social justice.
OPCC is a member organization of MORE2, the Metropolitan Organization for Racial and Economic Equity. MORE2 helps OPCC to join hands through building intentional relationships among the people in our faith communities. This builds broad grass roots participation so we can walk the path to social justice for our great metropolitan area. Together, with our faith as our guide, we claim the power to transform our bi-state metro region by overcoming obstacles to racial and economic equity in Kansas City. MORE2 is affiliated with the Gamaliel Foundation, an organizing network of affiliates in 21 states across the United States, in South Africa and in the United Kingdom. Gamaliel represents over a million members of various faiths and cultures who work for social justice.
Cross-Lines Food Kitchen
At the Don Bakely Community Annex, Cross-Lines serves breakfast and lunch, Monday through Friday. They also provide sack lunches to individuals on their way to work. OPCC has had a history volunteering with the breakfast and lunches, though recently we have focused on the sack lunches. Each month the youth help to prepare sack-lunches that are then delivered to Cross-Lines to be distributed. If you are able, we are always looking for donations for the sack lunches, and the youth would love the help in preparing them. Please contact Lisa Setty for more information.
At the Don Bakely Community Annex, Cross-Lines serves breakfast and lunch, Monday through Friday. They also provide sack lunches to individuals on their way to work. OPCC has had a history volunteering with the breakfast and lunches, though recently we have focused on the sack lunches. Each month the youth help to prepare sack-lunches that are then delivered to Cross-Lines to be distributed. If you are able, we are always looking for donations for the sack lunches, and the youth would love the help in preparing them. Please contact Lisa Setty for more information.
Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN)
Again, a partner organization, OPCC volunteers with Interfaith Hospitality network of Johnson County to host homeless families in our church for one week at a time, every 12-14 weeks. OPCC volunteers prepare meals and a home for one week through this unique program that provides not only emergency shelter and meals, but also compassionate assistance with social services in order to return homeless families to a renewed sense of dignity, hope, and independent living. To volunteer with this important ministry, please contact Barb Collins. You can contact her by emailing the church office, or by phone message at ext. 221.
Again, a partner organization, OPCC volunteers with Interfaith Hospitality network of Johnson County to host homeless families in our church for one week at a time, every 12-14 weeks. OPCC volunteers prepare meals and a home for one week through this unique program that provides not only emergency shelter and meals, but also compassionate assistance with social services in order to return homeless families to a renewed sense of dignity, hope, and independent living. To volunteer with this important ministry, please contact Barb Collins. You can contact her by emailing the church office, or by phone message at ext. 221.
Better Than Black Friday Community Meal
Our very first "Better Than Black Friday" Community Meal took place the Friday after Thanksgiving 2013 at OPCC. As an alternative to the rush, rush, rush, spend, spend, spend, we invite anyone in the community to a different way to welcome the Christmas season. Whether you would like to help volunteer or provide food for the meal, or if you are looking for a different place to spend "Black Friday," than the usual, or if you are experiencing food insecurity and would appreciate the meal and fellowship, all are invited to this meal. Contact Rev. Laura Phillips for more information.
Our very first "Better Than Black Friday" Community Meal took place the Friday after Thanksgiving 2013 at OPCC. As an alternative to the rush, rush, rush, spend, spend, spend, we invite anyone in the community to a different way to welcome the Christmas season. Whether you would like to help volunteer or provide food for the meal, or if you are looking for a different place to spend "Black Friday," than the usual, or if you are experiencing food insecurity and would appreciate the meal and fellowship, all are invited to this meal. Contact Rev. Laura Phillips for more information.