Coldwater
Programs
Food pantry
Coldwater’s Friends Day Food Pantry is open from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the second and fourth Saturdays January through October, the first and third Saturdays in November and December, and by appointment during the week. Known as Friends Days, the Saturday food pantries also include the Senior Mobile Pantry for 35 to 50 homebound individuals and a Hot Lunch Program that distributes prepared carryout meals for families who visit the food pantry.
Those who visit the food pantry receive two to three bags of groceries, bread, hygiene items, dairy, and produce. The Food Pantry distributed more than 200,000 pounds of food every year. Coldwater purchases food for the pantry from Harvesters, where as little as $5 can buy 50 pounds of food, equivalent to approximately six bags of groceries. The pantry also receives food and hygiene donations from individuals, organizations, businesses, and churches.
Other programs that function through the Food Pantry are the Little Blessings Diaper Distribution, School Supplies Distribution, and Christmas Adoptions.
An appointment is required to visit the Food Pantry during the week. Appointments can be made by calling our office at (816)-786-0758.
MMC Contractors
2024 Program Sponsor
senior mobile pantry
Coldwater volunteers deliver groceries to 35 to 50 homebound, food-insecure individuals on scheduled Friends Days. They receive two grocery bags each Friends Day Saturday, plus turkeys and side dishes at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Clothes Closet
The Coldwater Clothes Closet is available to serve residents in Lee’s Summit and surrounding cities facing hardships by offering free clothing assistance. In conjunction with the food pantry, the Clothing Closet is open two Saturdays a month on Friends Day.
Families attending Friends Day can find clothing items for the entire family, from newborns to senior citizens, including shoes, socks, and coats. The Clothes Closet also has bed linens, blankets, and towels. Over 500 clothing items are given out every Friends Day.
At Coldwater, we want to make sure any person or family in need of clothing receives assistance. An appointment is required to visit the Clothes Closet during the week. Appointments can be made by calling our office at (816)-786-0758.
Harvesters' Backsnack & Coldwater Food Packs
Coldwater distributes Harvesters’ BackSnacks to Lee’s Summit School District elementary and middle school students and Coldwater’s No Hungry Kids! Food Packs to children in Lee’s Summit School District early education programs. Coldwater provides 200 to 250 food-insecure students who might otherwise go hungry on the weekend with these two-weekend food sources each school year. This adds up to more than 6,000 food packs containing around 26,000 pounds of nutritious food. Each food pack includes breakfast items, canned and packaged meals, and snacks. Volunteers prepare these food packs every Thursday and deliver them to the schools for distribution.
Mascot Junction
2024 Program Sponsor
Friends Day Lunch
“You learn a lot about someone when you share a meal together.”
Anthony Bourdain
What started out as coffee and donuts for friends visiting the Food Pantry and Clothes Closet quickly evolved into a hot meal twice a month. Volunteers prepare nutritional carryout meals for those who visit the Saturday food pantries. All meals include protein, vegetables, and fruit. They are designed to ensure these families receive at least two nutritious meals a month, plus they model a well-balanced meal for them. In 2011, the Hot Lunch Program received the Harvesters Circle of Hope Award for its on-site meal program. Over 300 meals are served each Friends Day.
summer bbqs
Each Tuesday during June and July, Coldwater volunteers get together to host BBQs for low-income neighborhoods. Around 250 meals are prepared and served each Tuesday! The food is prepped at Coldwater and then delivered to each location where Coldwater fires up the grills. Volunteers can help with prep, serving, or both. This volunteering opportunity is ideal for church small groups, Rotaries, scout troops, school teams, and local businesses.
summer lunches
Summer Lunches is part of Coldwater No Hungry Kids! Program. Coldwater provides 150 to 200 sack lunches for 10 weeks in two Lee's Summit neighborhoods Monday through Friday, June through mid-August. Volunteers prepare the lunches at our main location and then distribute them to each site.
On top of lunches, volunteers bring along a mobile library for the kids to enjoy.
Community of Christ
2024 Program Sponsor
Christmas adoptions
At Christmas, Coldwater adopts more than 600 children whose families register them through the Food Pantry. Generous families, churches, and businesses adopt the children, providing gift items valued at around $75 for each child.
Holiday Turkey Meals
More Information Coming Soon!
School Supplies Backpacks
In July Coldwater distributes backpacks of school supplies to children whose families visit the Food Pantry for assistance. Families are asked to register their children so volunteers can personalize the backpacks of supplies for the children’s grade levels.
Little blessings diaper distribution
Coldwater’s newest program, Little Blessings, provides 50 diapers or 30 training pants each month for children whose families sign up through online registration. Families are referred to the program through the Food Pantry. This program also is available to families referred by teachers who work with early childhood programs in the Lee’s Summit School District.
Community of Christ
2024 Program Sponsor
outreach programs
Leagues of SMiles t-ball
Each spring Coldwater partners with “C” You In the Major Leagues (Dayton Moore’s charity) to host a t-ball league for 4 to 7-year-olds. On Tuesday and Thursday evenings starting in late May through the end of June, coaches teach the children to play baseball in a “backyard” style environment. Players receive a team shirt, snacks each night, and a trophy at the end of the season.
out 4 others mission week
This week-long summer volunteer program for fifth through eighth graders introduces students to several volunteer opportunities in the community including Harvesters and Coldwater’s own Summer Lunches program. Students visit different nonprofits each day from 9 am to 12:30 pm Monday through Thursday.
fundraisers
winterfest gala
Winterfest is Coldwater’s largest fundraiser of the year. Approximately 300 guests attend this event each year on the last Saturday of February. The volunteer planning committee chooses a different theme each year. Themes have included Monopoly Live!, ‘70s Game Shows, and a Casino Night. The evening also includes dinner, silent and Piccadilly auctions, a look back at Coldwater’s past year, and interviews with volunteers and individuals served by Coldwater programs. Proceeds from the event help fund all of the Coldwater programs.
Sign up to Volunteer HERE!
crank out hunger bike ride
Coldwater sponsors this bike ride in mid-August to benefit its Food Pantry & Clothes Closet. Riders can choose from three routes – 20, 48 and 68 miles. The ride ends at the same location where the event begins. When they return, riders receive a meal accompanied with live music. Each registration also includes an event t-shirt.
Drive out hunger golf tournament
Every fall Coldwater hosts a golf tournament to benefit the No Hungry Kids! programs. The event kicks off with a Helicopter Golf Ball Drop and ends with an awards ceremony and raffle. Golfers participate in a variety of fun games while on the course. As part of their registration, players also receive two meals and sponsored golfer gifts.
fundraisers
winterfest gala
Winterfest is Coldwater’s largest fundraiser of the year. Approximately 300 guests attend this event each year on the last Saturday of February. The volunteer planning committee chooses a different theme each year. Themes have included Monopoly Live!, ‘70s Game Shows, and a Casino Night. The evening also includes dinner, silent and Piccadilly auctions, a look back at Coldwater’s past year, and interviews with volunteers and individuals served by Coldwater programs. Proceeds from the event help fund all of the Coldwater programs.
Sign up to Volunteer HERE!
crank out hunger bike ride
Coldwater sponsors this bike ride in mid-August to benefit its Food Pantry & Clothes Closet. Riders can choose from three routes – 20, 48 and 68 miles. The ride ends at the same location where the event begins. When they return, riders receive a meal accompanied with live music. Each registration also includes an event t-shirt.
Drive out hunger golf tournament
Every fall Coldwater hosts a golf tournament to benefit the No Hungry Kids! programs. The event kicks off with a Helicopter Golf Ball Drop and ends with an awards ceremony and raffle. Golfers participate in a variety of fun games while on the course. As part of their registration, players also receive two meals and sponsored golfer gifts.