As the holiday season ends, lingering gratitude surrounding this time of the year inspires many to spread joy. Giving back to your community is a great way to fulfill those feelings of generosity, and is easier than you may think.
Small acts of kindness, which may seem insignificant, can have profound generational effects. Chances are, you most likely know someone whose life has changed because of the Wichita Center. 13,000 students in 33 different schools have benefited from the center’s resources.
The Wichita Center serves families in the North Clackamas School District. The center is located at 6031 S.E. King Road in Milwaukie, OR. You don’t need extensive resources to get involved. Many North Clackamas School District students are volunteering right now.
Jonathan Hernandez is a junior who formerly attended Milwaukie High School. He started volunteering at the center in the summer of 2023. He says “Everyone was friendly and nice, it was fairly easy to communicate with them.”
The impact that organizations such as the Wichita Center have on communities can span past one’s lifetime.
Kathy Harrison has been the Wichita Center’s family services coordinator for three years. She says “We see families who grew up and needed help and then as adults come back and want to give back.”
Unlike what one may expect, the holiday season isn’t when the Wichita Center needs them most. February through summer are when they experience the most need for community support and involvement. Kathy believes this is because “Everybody wants to give at the holidays because it feels good and you’re thinking of it.” It’s crucial to carry the generous spirit of the holiday season throughout the year.
The Wichita Center is well known for its Food Pantry and Clothes Closet. The food pantry contains shelf-stable goods, fresh produce, meat, and dairy products. The clothes closet has all the wardrobe items a student from kindergarten through 12th grade may need. Families in need can shop in person on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“Most people come for the food pantry and clothes closet, but we have a lot of other partners here, too,” says Harrison.
Many programs partner with the Wichita Center to offer their services to North Clackamas students and families. Some of these programs included WIC, a supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children. McKinney-Vento Services offers resources to the homeless. Headstart is a non-profit organization that serves children of low-income families.
The North Clackamas Schools website has information on how to get in touch with these programs and many others.
“We have about 40 volunteers each week,” Harrison says. “Some are students, some are families who shop and some are just community members who want to help out.”
Getting involved is easy.
Volunteers must be high school students or older. The North Clackamas Schools website has an application for the center. Jon said the application process was easy and accessible. “I just went onto their website and watched the Oregon video about how to stay clean when volunteering with food.”
Volunteers are needed in positions currently including helping in the Clothes Closet and Food Pantry. Organizers help stock shelves and organize donations. Also, shoppers offer help to community members who are shopping in the center.
“I volunteered with a bit of everything,” Jon recalled about his time at the Wichita Center. There are many ways to get involved and give back to your community.
Volunteers are also needed to pick up donations. For this position, one must have an SUV or truck and be able to lift potentially heavy items easily. The Wichita Center is open Monday through Thursday. It’s easy and convenient to help out at whatever time works best for your schedule.
If you are not able to volunteer, there are still many ways to give back. Donations are pivotal to the Wichita Center’s success. Without them, they wouldn’t be able to run and stock the center. The generosity of others donating gives them the resources to help thousands of families.
“It’s a great help for students that are in need,” says Jon. We can help centers such as the Wichita Center change lives by coming together and contributing. “People have different situations going on, and having that support is awesome.”
Items needed at the center may differ by season.
When asked about the center’s current donation needs, Kathy says “Right now, one of our biggest needs is hygiene products. All hygiene products and we always need shoes that are new or gently used.” Shelf-stable foods and clothes for students ages five through eighteen are in high demand year-round.
A more in-depth list detailing types of food, clothes, and hygiene products can be found here. If you are interested in donating, please drop off items at the Wichita Center during the hours of 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday.
The lasting effects of the Wichita Center on our community cannot go unnoticed. The Center provides North Clackamas families and students with the support needed to get through tough times. It also removes the burden of food and clothing insecurity. Anyone at any age can embrace the spirit of giving year-round and change lives. “It’s a feel-good job,” Kathy says.
Are you interested in contributing to your community and helping out at the Wichita Center? Contact Kathy Harrison at 503-353-5663 or [email protected]!
Know any companies interested in becoming corporate partners with the Wichita Center? Please reach out to Kathy to become part of the Wichita Center Family and help thousands of families!