Blog - The Kitchen

27 Oct 2022

Sheila’s Story – Finding Hope in The Kitchen’s Homeless Shelter

Sheila is a mother and wife in her mid-fifties. She has extensive health issues that put her in the hospital frequently including congestive heart failure, COPD, kidney disease, severe bipolar disorder, and PTSD. When Sheila’s husband went to prison in summer 2021, she became the sole provider for their daughter (11) and son (10). Sheila struggled to balance her health, her housing, and taking care of her children. The family was evicted from their home in March. Fortunately, Sheila’s children have been able to stay with their grandfather. Sheila found shelter at Safe to Sleep, a local homeless shelter for…

19 Sep 2022

Donate Items On Our Needs List

Give items on our winter needs list to help folks experiencing homelessness. Participants in our programs need a variety of items to find stability and purpose. Cold Weather Needs Chapstick First aid kits Gloves, hats, scarves Hot Hands Mylar blankets, throw blankets Sleeping bags Socks, underwear (new) Thermal underwear (new) Zip-up hoodies Hygiene Bodywash, shampoo, conditioner Brushes (new), hairspray Deodorant Razors, shaving cream Tampons, pads Toothbrushes Kitchen Can openers Cups, glasses Plates Pots, pans Tupperware Food Bottled water Canned protein High protein snacks Pop-top canned meals Furniture Dressers (small) Kitchen table, chairs Mattresses (no stains/tears) Sofas, armchairs Household/Cleaning Ajax/Comet All-purpose…

08 Sep 2022

The Kitchen Hosts Open House at New O’Reilly Family Campus

The Kitchen will host an open house at the O’Reilly Family Campus Wednesday, September 21 from 8:30am to 10:30am. Located at 730 N Glenstone Ave, the O’Reilly Family Campus houses The Kitchen’s Emergency Shelter and the Sam F. and June S. Hamra Family Support Services building. The Kitchen’s Emergency Shelter includes 13 apartments to provide emergency shelter for families. The Sam F. and June S. Hamra Family Support Services building is home to The Kitchen’s Community Housing and Home at Last programs, housing operations office, donation center, and administrative offices. Take a look inside The Kitchen's emergency shelter. The event…

18 Jul 2022

Pregnant & Parenting Youth Grant Renewed for Second Year

We are so excited to have our Change for Children grant renewed for year two by The Musgrave Foundation. This grant supports a case manager specifically for pregnant and parenting youth. The pregnant and parenting youth case manager is located at Rare Breed Youth Services, 301 N Main Ave. Homeless and at-risk youth ages 13-24 can receive a wide range of services at Rare Breed including immediate access to basic needs and rapid access to community services. Youth who are pregnant or parenting have other needs specific to their situations. That’s where our pregnant and parenting youth case manager steps…

14 Jul 2022

The Kitchen to Break Ground on New Affordable Housing Development

The Kitchen, Inc. will break ground on a new affordable housing development Thursday, July 28 at 11am. The property, located at 550 N Duke Ave, is the future site of Maplewood Villas, a 44-unit affordable housing development designed for low-income and formerly homeless seniors—especially Veterans. The project is funded by The Missouri Housing Development Commission, Bank of Missouri, and CRA Investments. Maplewood Villas will include 44 two-bedroom, one-bathroom units for seniors 55 and older. All units will be ground-floor accessible units. 11 units will be set aside specifically to serve homeless Veterans. A portion of units will also be set…

16 Jun 2022

New Affordable Housing Development: Maplewood Villas

Ending homelessness will take more than case management and housing assistance. Our community needs more housing options that are safe, affordable, and desirable to serve low-income families and individuals. The Kitchen, Inc. is excited to announce a new affordable housing development to help meet this need. Maplewood Villas, Affordable Housing for Seniors 55+ Maplewood Villas will be a 44-unit affordable housing development specifically designed for low-income and formally homeless seniors—especially Veterans. Funding for the project comes from the Missouri Housing Development Commission, MHEG, CRA Investments, the City of Springfield, and the Bank of Missouri. Maplewood Villas will include 44 universally designed, two-bedroom, one-bathroom…