(MSC News)--Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas has moved its Atchison Emergency Assistance Center to 502 Kansas Avenue, just around the corner from its former location. The new space is double the size, allowing the organization to expand its services to continue to meet the needs of the community.

One of the biggest benefits of the new location is greater storage for food distribution.  The food pantry is now in an area big enough for people to walk-thru, giving them a self-shopping experience.  “We value the dignity of those we serve, so we’ve modeled our food pantries to be more like a grocery store where people choose the items they need,” explains Dustin Hardison, Director of Stabilization and Housing. 

The new office also offers room to host nutrition and financial education classes, as well as small community gatherings such as local coffee clubs.   Manager Cindy Gillispie would like to add a couple of computers for clients to work on resumes, job searches and on-line classes.  “While we strive to meet immediate survival needs including providing food and assisting with housing and utility payments, our hope is to help people work towards and achieve long-term self-sufficiency,” says Gillispie.  

In addition, the larger space will accommodate more on-site volunteer opportunities from helping sort and stock the food pantry to assisting in the office. “We are fortunate that Atchison is such a generous community,” says Gillispie. “There’s never a shortage of people offering to help.”   

A permanent Atchison office was established in 2014, one of eight Emergency Assistance Centers located throughout a 21-county service area.  It is open from  8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. To learn more about Atchison’s programs and services, call 913.367.5070 or visit catholiccharitiesks.org.