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Monday 8am - 5pm Tuesday 8am - 5pm Wednesday 8am - 5pm Thursday 8am - 5pm Friday 8am - 3pm

JFS of Greater Kansas City (Jewish Family Services)

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JFS of Greater Kansas City (Jewish Family Services)

JFS provides essential human services for people of all faiths, ages, cultures, and identities who are facing challenges in everyday life or times of crisis.

In the spirit of Tikkun Olam, we are repairing the world one person, one family at a time. Jewish Family Services (JFS) supports and strengthens lives throughout Kansas City. We provide essential human services for people facing challenges in everyday life or times of crisis — regardless of faith, age, culture or lifestyle. A highly-skilled and compassionate staff are dedicated to preserving the w

ell-being, comfort, and dignity of others, always respecting the confidentiality of our clients. JFS proudly serves more than 10,000 people annually, more than half of whom are not Jewish. JFS was founded on the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam, repairing the world, one person, one family at a time. Together, we are making a difference. Volunteers play a vital role in our programs, providing a helping hand, compassionate smile, or meaningful connection. Learn more at https://www.jfskc.org/volunteer/

06/16/2026

JFS has stepped up to partner with Kansas City’s only emergency overnight shelter for LGBTQ+ youth, providing food, cleaning supplies and hygiene items for the shelter’s clients through the agency’s Brookside Food Pantry.

“We are thrilled to be able to help Teresa’s Place with the food they need to provide their young clients with delicious, nutritious meals,” said Maggie Haghirian, chief program officer at JFS. “Along with the individual clients we serve on a monthly basis, we value the agency partnerships that let us reach those in need in other parts of our community.”

Teresa’s Place offers LGBTQ+, unhoused 18-24-year-olds a safe place to sleep, eat and access housing, job and educational resources, as well as support from trained staff. Youth can stay at the shelter for up to 90 days, giving them time to locate other housing options and avoid the risks of becoming unhoused. Shelter staff and volunteers work together to prepare and cook hot meals for breakfast and dinner to eat alongside shelter residents at a large, communal kitchen table. Non-perishable items and packaged leftovers are also provided to clients to eat for lunch during the hours they spend away from Teresa’s Place during the day.

“This partnership with JFS allows us to prepare more nutritious, diverse meals for our vulnerable clients,” said Mary Brewster, assistant director of program and services at SAVE, Inc. “We are very grateful for these generous donations of the food these youth need the most.”

Each Friday, a rotating team of volunteers, organized by Jewish community member Martha Gershun, pick up food and supplies put together by JFS Food Pantry staff and deliver the boxes to Teresa’s Place.

Donations can be made to the JFS Food Pantry by dropping off food and household items at one of its two locations or in the orange JFS barrels at The J and most synagogues, or by purchasing items from their Amazon Wish List. Financial donations can be made through the JFS website at jfskc.org/ways-to-give.

Read the full article here >>>> https://www.kcjc.com/current-news/community-news/10869-jfs-lgbtq-youth

06/10/2026

Participating in the annual Village Shalom Fathers' Day Run on June 21st? Look for the JFS collection barrels and give back to the JFS Pantry. The JFS pantry relies on community donations to provide guests with variety and choice when shopping. Consider donating unopened non-perishable food, personal care items, and paper goods to help stock JFS pantry shelves.

Most Needed Pantry Items
🍚 Pasta/Rice - 1 lb boxes/bags
🍰 Baking Mixes - Cake, Brownie, etc.
🍍 Canned Fruits & Vegetables
🌭 Condiments - Ketchup, Mustard, BBQ Sauce
🐾 Pet Food - Cat & Dog

06/08/2026

JFS recognized two women at its 125th Anniversary Celebration whose dedication and service have helped shape the organization’s impact: Ann Baum and Marla Brockman.

Ann Baum received the Alfred Benjamin Friend of the Family Award, named in memory of Alfred Benjamin, the second president of JFS. The award recognizes individuals whose accomplishments exemplify compassion, humanity and a commitment to improving quality of life for others. Baum was honored for her decades of volunteerism, philanthropy and steadfast dedication to both JFS and the Kansas City community.

“Ann has devoted both her professional career and personal life to vital social service causes, the arts and the environment,” JFS Board President Jane Sosland said during the award presentation. “It would be difficult to find a corner of our community that hasn’t been strengthened by Ann’s generosity, leadership and commitment.”

“Ann represents the very best of what JFS stands for,” JFS Executive Director and CEO Angela DeWilde said. “Her compassion, wisdom and commitment to helping others have impacted countless lives.”

For Baum, service is deeply personal. In accepting the honor, she reflected on the values she shared with her late husband, Kenny Baum (z”l).

“Kenny and I had this commitment to do whatever we could to improve our community,” Baum said. “My desire is to carry on this torch for both of us and for our family.”

JFS also presented the Dr. Phyliss & Robert A. Bernstein Humanitarian Award to Marla Brockman, recognizing her longtime devotion to JFS, particularly through the food pantry and social work programs. Established during JFS’s 100th anniversary in honor of Dr. Phyliss and Robert A. Bernstein’s longstanding commitment to the agency, the award honors individuals whose lives reflect a deep commitment to strengthening quality of life in the Kansas City community.

“Many in the Jewish community know Marla as someone who simply shows up, without hesitation,” said JFS Board Treasurer Mary McLean, who presented the award.

“Marla models the very best of community leadership,” DeWilde added. “Her work honors the dignity of every person she meets, proving that helping a single family can create ripple effects across an entire community.”

Also a JFS board member in the 1980s, Brockman has volunteered with JFS since 2012. She regularly picks up weekly Whole Foods donations for JFS pantries and mobilized family and neighbors during the pandemic to organize food drives as community needs surged.

At 125 years, JFS is celebrating not only its history, but the people who make that history meaningful. JFS honors Baum and Brockman because through their service, they are reminders that caring for community is more than simply an act of generosity; it is a lasting legacy.

06/05/2026

Help stock the JFS Therapy rooms! Therapists use a variety of tools, from toys to art supplies, to help clients of all ages express their thoughts and feelings. Shop the JFS Amazon Wish List and help the JFS Therapy team fill their spaces with the needed tools and supplies for every client.
Amazon Wish List >>>>> https://bit.ly/4alXbmL

06/04/2026

Today is Holocaust Survivor Day. We celebrate annually on June 4th to honor and recognize the resilience, strength, and bravery of Holocaust survivors in Kansas City and all around the world.

05/29/2026

Are you a trivia buff with a heart for giving back?
Get ready to put your knowledge to the test—and make a real impact—during a special week of trivia nights benefiting the JFS Food Pantry.

During four trivia sessions the week of June 1, hosted by Big 5 Trivia , participants are invited to bring donations to support JFS pantry locations. Along with the usual bragging rights and prizes, players will have the chance to “score” even bigger by helping stock the shelves for local families in need.
Most-needed pantry items include pasta and rice (family-sized), tomato soup, canned fruits and vegetables, crunchy peanut butter, pet food, and condiments.

Trivia Night Lineup:
Monday, June 1: Chicken N Pickle - North Kansas City
Tuesday, June 2: Chicken N Pickle - Overland Park & Lew's Grill and Bar
Wednesday, June 3: Discourse Brewing
Thursday, June 4: Friction Beer Company

Gather your team, bring your donations, and get ready for a week where every right answer—and every item given—makes a difference.

05/18/2026

JFS is honored to be selected as a United Way of Greater Kansas City Impact 100 organization! The 100 organizations selected to be a part of this group will receive unrestricted funding from United Way to further our missions.

We are incredibly grateful to continue our long-standing relationship with United Way.

05/11/2026

💚 Be part of an inspiring community event this Mental Health Awareness Month!

Join us for a powerful evening dedicated to strengthening our community, expanding awareness, and ensuring everyone knows how to find support when it’s needed most.

We’ll kick off with an uplifting keynote from renowned community leader, mental health advocate, and author Karen Gerson, whose personal story and expertise have empowered countless individuals and families.

Next, hear directly from leading voices in our community as representatives from Jewish Family Services (JFS), First Call, and GRASP come together for a dynamic panel discussion. They’ll share essential insights, practical resources, and real pathways to care.

To round out the evening, explore resource tables and browse books by local authors focused on mental health, available for purchase, with all proceeds benefiting JFS and supporting their critical services.

💚 To register visit: thejkc.org/mentalhealth

05/06/2026

JFS is hosting a series of upcoming Neighbor Market events to make it easy for individuals and families to pick up free groceries and household essentials.

In partnership with Kanbe’s Markets, Harvesters and other local organizations, JFS will offer these drop-by markets at its Brookside location (425 E. 63rd St., Kansas City, MO 64110) on Fridays, May 15, June 12 and July 10, from 12:30 to 2 p.m., or while supplies last. Inventory will vary each week, offering a fresh selection of items. These Neighbor Markets are open to anyone experiencing food insecurity no matter their faith, age, culture or background.

JFS is partnering with Harvesters - The Community Food Network and AdventHealth Kansas City to bring these markets to life to ensure more people in the community have access to the food they need.

JFS is currently seeking volunteers to assist at the markets. Interested in volunteering? Email [email protected].

04/30/2026

Pantry Items needed! We strive to provide a range of products for clients, but are slowly becoming more limited. Because of you, we're able to provide individual clients and families with the variety and choices they need to feed their families. Looking at our shelves, you can imagine our supplies won't last long.

Most needed items include:
🍚 Pasta/Rice - 1 lb bags/boxes
🐾 Pet Food - Cat & Dog
🍍 Canned Fruits & Veggies - mixed veggies, carrots & pineapple

Please consider adding a few items to your shopping cart next time you're on Amazon (https://amzn.to/3XH5v7Z). Thank you in advance for your kindness and help!

Address

5801 W 115th Street
Overland Park, KS
66211

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 3pm

Telephone

+19133278250

Website

http://www.jfskc.org/

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