JFS of Greater Kansas City (Jewish Family Services)

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/

Volunteers at JFS packed 1,200 food boxes at the new JFS Warehouse for distribution during Operation Backpack’s Aug. 1 b...
08/04/2026

Volunteers at JFS packed 1,200 food boxes at the new JFS Warehouse for distribution during Operation Backpack’s Aug. 1 back-to-school event, helping ensure local students and families have nutritious food and essentials as they head back to school.

Operation Backpack by the numbers:
📦 1,200 boxes = 30 pallets distributed
🥫 20,400 lbs of food and personal care items
🏠 667 households served

Thank you to all the volunteers who helped make this event a success! 🧡

📢 We need your help! VOLUNTEERS NEEDED 📢 Volunteers will help assemble over 1,000 food boxes in preparation for distribu...
07/20/2026

📢 We need your help! VOLUNTEERS NEEDED 📢
Volunteers will help assemble over 1,000 food boxes in preparation for distribution to Operation Backpack. We hope you’ll join us!
Dates: July 22, July 23, July 29, July 30

Sign Up >>>> https://bit.ly/4p8EYiM

🎒Help local students start school prepared by volunteering with our Operation Backpack initiative. Volunteers are needed...
07/10/2026

🎒Help local students start school prepared by volunteering with our Operation Backpack initiative. Volunteers are needed at our brand-new warehouse to sort, organize, and pack back to school boxes. It's a fun, hands-on opportunity that's works great to bring a group of friends! Participants should wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothing, and be prepared to lift and move items!

🗓 Date: July 22nd and 23rd, 9:00AM-12:00PM
✅ Sign Up: https://bit.ly/4p8EYiM

Did you know that toilet paper and hygiene items are not covered under SNAP? For many families, receiving even a single ...
07/10/2026

Did you know that toilet paper and hygiene items are not covered under SNAP? For many families, receiving even a single roll of toilet paper can mean one less expense they have to worry about on a tight budget. The JFS food pantry supports clients with this everyday necessity and distributes nearly 2,000 rolls per month!

Throughout July & August, JFS is collecting toilet paper to stock the pantry shelves. Packages of toilet paper can be dropped in the JFS barrels in the J Lobby and at JFS Brookside during business hours.

Visit www.jfskc.org to learn more and how you can purchase items for the JFS Food Pantry online or make a donation.

When school lets out, the need for food assistance often grows. Local community organizations are seeing a greater need ...
07/06/2026

When school lets out, the need for food assistance often grows. Local community organizations are seeing a greater need from households with children who rely on school breakfasts and lunches during the academic year.

That's why we’re thrilled to share that Food Connect recently launched a partnership with JFS of Greater Kansas City (Jewish Family Services) to support home delivery services throughout the Kansas City metro. 🚚💚

This summer we’ll be collaborating to ensure that families have consistent access to nutritious food throughout the coming months. Through this partnership, Food Connect picks up food boxes from the JFS warehouse, coordinates delivery logistics, and provides last-mile delivery directly to participants' homes in both Kansas and Missouri.

JFS has stepped up to partner with Kansas City’s only emergency overnight shelter for LGBTQ+ youth, providing food, clea...
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

Participating in the annual Village Shalom Fathers' Day Run on June 21st? Look for the JFS collection barrels and give b...
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

JFS recognized two women at its 125th Anniversary Celebration whose dedication and service have helped shape the organiz...
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.

Help stock the JFS Therapy rooms! Therapists use a variety of tools, from toys to art supplies, to help clients of all a...
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

Today is Holocaust Survivor Day. We celebrate annually on June 4th to honor and recognize the resilience, strength, and ...
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.

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

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