There are myriad negative connotations associated with “homeless,” which we seek to overcome. The homeless are marginalized; they are invisible; they are usually unconsidered. However, when viewed in a biblical context, those without a home are seen to be on a journey and they are regarded differently: they are Sojourners – people in a state of transition. There are many passages which tell us to view those without a home with special regard: to show them compassion, care for them, provide for them, and help them in their transition. As Christians, we are called to walk with them. A Sojourner is on a journey and Lazarus Ministries strives to help them on their journey to a better place.
Lazarus Table was founded in 1996, serving 10,000 meals that first year. Over the past 20 years with the help of over 2000 volunteers annually from congregations in the tri-state area, the services provided have grown significantly, going beyond providing food. To better reflect the breadth of programs, the name changed from Lazarus’ Table to Lazarus Ministries. Today, Lazarus Ministries’ services include a clothing boutique, free medical and eye care clinics, library, weekday drop-in center, hair salon, and a women’s emergency overflow shelter.
As the needs of our community have grown, so has our vision. In 2009 Lazarus Ministries became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to better position the organization to continue expanding the programs serving the community. While the organization continues to function with support from the faith based community, the nonprofit status allows opportunities for growth, which a church would never have been able to provide alone.
We are confident that after 20 years, God is leading Lazarus into a new direction – a direction that will allow us to grow. Soon, we’ll find ourselves settled in a new home, with new partners, continuing to serve the Sojourner community. We are committed to one final season of the Women’s Shelter at Grand Avenue Temple, and plans to have programs on-site through May 2017. Beyond that, our Board of Directors is diligently working to find a new home for the critical services that we provide, as well build partnerships within Kansas City so that there is not a disruption in services.
Lazarus Table
Lazarus Table serves more than 25,000 meals each year by providing lunch on Saturday’s and Sunday’s for Kansas City’s homeless and hungry. A commercial kitchen, staffed mostly by formerly homeless individuals, operates weekly to serve approximately 500 meals to sojourners each weekend. Volunteers serve meals and provide the staff with much needed assistance on a regular basis.
We seek to provide a place where Sojourners initially come for a meal, but ultimately find a sense of community. Within this community we hope to develop relationships with all individuals – those who want nothing but for someone to know them by name, as well as those who have potential to change their situation and help them take steps to get out of poverty by working with our social work staff.
Be a part of what we’re doing – volunteer to serve!
Lazarus Boutique
Lazarus Boutique continues the mission of Lazarus Ministries to clothe those in need. The Boutique is open Saturdays in conjunction with meal service to provide clothing and personal hygiene items to anyone in need.
Volunteers sort and size donations and restock the boutique weekly. We accept donations of travel size hygiene items, which are easier for our sojourners to pack when all they own is carried with them. Volunteers also serve as a “Personal Shopper” to assist in selecting sizes and fulfilling all needs of the Sojourner. With a personal shopper, we can ensure each individual receives what they need and gets the correct sizes, but it also provides a sense of dignity to have a volunteer’s
Health Clinic
The Sojourner Health Clinic is a free clinic developed and managed by UMKC Medical Students, providing outpatient care to our community. On Sunday afternoons, the students (with faculty supervision) provide acute and chronic medical care to the Sojourners of downtown Kansas City. The clinic’s services include blood pressure monitoring, blood sugar testing, dispensing medications, and an on-site physician to see patients.
Since opening in 2004, the clinic has received thousands of patient visits and prescriptions filled. The Sojourner Health Clinic has become the primary care provider for many of downtown Kansas City’s homeless. Faculty physicians and resident physicians from Truman Medical Center East, Truman Medical Center West and St. Luke’s Hospital are involved to supervise and support the students’ efforts.
Women’s Shelter
The Lazarus Women’s Shelter is an overnight shelter for women only, open from December 1st until April 1st, the coldest months of the year when area shelters are on overflow because there aren’t enough beds in the city.
Volunteers prepare and serve meals each night. Women are given a hot meal, a bed with clean bedding and pajamas, a hot shower, and most importantly a second chance and sense of community. Each night we provide shelter for 16-20 women and we never turn anyone away with make-shift beds on the floor. We choose to keep our numbers small because we don’t just want to warehouse bodies; we want to affect lives, allowing them to be rebuilt, and maintain a focus on community.
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