Feed the Need

Feeding families since 1987

Since 1987, employees of Johnson County Government have participated in the annual Feed the Need campaign. All donations of food and money benefit ten area food pantries serving eligible Johnson County residents.

The 7 food pantries include: Northeast Multi-Service Center, North Central Multi-Service Center, Southwest Multi-Service Center, Shawnee Community Services, Catholic Charities of Overland Park and Olathe, Salvation Army of Olathe, and First Christian Church of Olathe.

Throughout the year, employees from the different county departments and agencies sponsor fund raising events ranging from food drives and chili cook-offs to golf tournaments. The monies raised are received by the Johnson County Charitable Foundation, Inc., a Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, and in turn, disbursed to the food pantries at the end of year’s campaign, ending each July.

Each year, an Event Day is held in the courtyard between the County’s Courthouse and Administration Building. The different departments and agencies set up booths providing food, games and other a​​​ctivities like a dunk tank to raise money for the Feed the Need campaign. Music has been provided in the past to add to the festivities. Each year there is a theme and slogan for the campaign.

Fundraising proceeds for Feed the Need are to be distributed to all pantries operated by Johnson County Government. Donations may also be distributed to an additional five food pantries that are located in Johnson County as determined by the Fundraising Committee. Donations may be distributed based on units of service and do not need to be distributed in equal amounts. Pantries must meet the following criteria:

• Pantry must be open to the general public
• Pantry must be located in Johnson County
• Pantry must use funds exclusively for food, household items, school supplies, and emergency assistance (rent, medications, utilities)
• Pantry must provide an annual accounting of how the funds were spent and units of service
• Organizations must use MAAC Link or some other system that helps to ensure that food support is spread throughout the community
• Periodic audits of the Feed the Need donations by designated Johnson County officials must be allowed as requested