Center of Grace: How Father’s Club Dads & Kids are Helping to Strengthen Community

By Steven Richmond, Olathe Schools Regional Chair for Father’s Club

In the heart of Olathe, something powerful is happening—neighbors are stepping up to ensure that Olathe families are cared for.

Meeting a Growing Need

Food insecurity is rising across our community. More families than ever are navigating difficult choices between essentials, and the demand for support continues to grow. In response, Center of Grace has become a vital lifeline—serving thousands with not only food, but also clothing, hygiene items, and educational support.

In 2024 alone, Center of Grace impacted over 30,000 individuals. Each number represents a family cared for, a burden lifted, and a step toward stability.

The Food Pantry itself has exceeded expectations. The pantry is culturally inclusive, ensuring that every family can find foods that reflect their traditions and preferences and what began with a goal of serving 200 families per month has, at times, grown to serving over 100 families in a single day—a reflection of both the need and the trust the community places in the Center of Grace team.

A Partnership Rooted in Service

Olathe Father’s Club chapters first connected with Center of Grace in July 2025, during a Back-to-School event. During that event, dads and kids helped distribute 1,148 backpacks filled with supplies. That moment sparked something deeper—a shared commitment to serve.

Since then, the partnership between Center of Grace and Olathe Father’s Club chapters continues to grow. Center of Grace Executive Director Jessica Ferrell shared a critical need following the holidays. Olathe Father’s Club took action. In January 2026, Father’s Club coordinated a food and hygiene drive—supported by Chisholm Trail and California Trail Middle Schools—resulting in over 300 donated items.

But the impact didn’t stop there.

Mary Ann Vandenbark, Food Bank coordinator, shared the most common challenge the food bank faced was getting the groceries from the store to the pantry. Previously, the pantry relied on gift card donations. One person would head to the store and buy the groceries they could fit in their car.

Father’s Club volunteers worked with Center of Grace and helped establish a non-profit business account with Aldi’s so the pantry could realize full benefit of their tax exempt status, helping their dollars go even further. A standard food bank inventory and order sheet with Aldi item codes was also created. Fast forward and now Center of Grace food bank is able to email Aldi’s their order for pallets of groceries at a time. Then at the beginning of the month a group of dads and kids meet at Aldi’s to pick up the groceries and deliver them to Center of Grace.

Linda Cooper, a lead volunteer at center of grace coordinates the delivery and unloading of monthly deliveries from another Kansas City non-profit Giving the Basics – Providing Products for Human Dignity; personal hygiene products, shampoo, deodorant, laundry detergent, toothbrushes, toothpaste, diapers, feminine hygiene products, and more. Two Father’s Club volunteers show up the Thursday before the first Friday of each month for one hour to help unload pallets.

Small Acts, Lasting Impact

Behind the scenes, dedicated Center of Grace volunteers like Mary Ann Vandenbark and Linda Cooper ensure operations run smoothly—from coordinating food sourcing to organizing hygiene product deliveries through community partners. Father’s Club volunteers now serve monthly, helping unload shipments and stock the pantry. The result? We are helping Center of Grace consistently meet and exceed their goal of serving over 200 families each month.

What difference does one hour of time each month make when kids, dads, and community come together and lock arms with intention? Even the simplest acts like picking up and unloading groceries helps restore dignity, provide hope, and change lives.

Next Steps

• To get involved with a Father’s Club chapter at your school, visit the Chapters page on our website.
• If there isn’t a chapter currently at your school and you would like to know more about starting a Father’s Club chapter, visit the Contact page and fill out the form with your details and we will be in touch!