Local Outreach

God calls us to live out our faith and serve our community. Whether it’s tutoring, feeding the hungry or reaching out to the lonely, there is a place for you to serve. 

We’d love to help you connect with a ministry that you care about. To find out how to get involved, email Associate Pastor Sam O’Banion.

Jefferson School Partnership

East Heights has a ministry partnership with the staff, families and children of nearby Jefferson Elementary School. Many of the students who attend Jefferson live in poverty and face huge obstacles. In an effort to make a difference, we provide backpacks and school supplies, serve as lunch buddies, read to the kids, support the teachers, and more! We also are part of a program that makes sure that the kids have food on the weekends. We get weekend food backpacks ready and then distribute them to the kids. Come join this partnership – there’s a place for you! Email email Associate Pastor Sam O’Banion for more information. To volunteer for Jefferson, please download and complete these forms, then return them to Pastor Sam:

Sack Lunches for the Homeless

We get together on the second Wednesday of the month at 5 p.m. to make 100 sack lunches for the homeless served by United Methodist Open Door. It takes about an hour to help and helpers of all ages are welcome to assist.

Ongoing Food Drive

We collect food on a monthly basis to be distributed by United Methodist Open Door in Wichita. Next time, you’re at the store, pick up a jar of peanut butter, a box of macaroni and cheese or any kind of non-perishable food item and drop it off in the bin near Hedrick Hall and it will be distributed to Open Door’s Community Food Ministry.

Men on a Mission

We frequently schedule work days to paint homes for those in need or help with minor landscaping projects. Email Tim Stead for upcoming work days.

Family Promise

We will be hosting our Family Promise families September 21-28 and we would love to have you join us in welcoming them and sharing our East Heights hospitality with them. You can find the different volunteer roles as well as the sign-up here. East Heights UMC: Family Promise Hospitality Sign-Up  There is also an on-line training for volunteers available with helpful information about Family Promise and our role as a host church. If you have questions or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact Paige Nelson at paige@ehumc.org.

Other Off-Site Ministry Opportunities in Wichita and the Surrounding Area

  • Logo of Dillon's Food Stores with text 'Community Rewards'

    Dillons' Reward Cards

    You can support United Methodist Women missions when you shop at Dillons

    Just affiliate with East Heights UMC Women with your Dillons Plus Shopper’s Card or 1-2-3 Rewards Card. Anytime you shop at Dillons and scan your card, you’ll support Women of Faith missions. To sign up, visit www.dillons.com/communityrewards and scroll down to sign in to your account or create one. Click on “Enroll Now” and enter 10115, which is our number. Select East Heights Women of Faith and click “Enroll.” If you need assistance or do not have an email account, you can call Dillons at 866-221-4141, and they will help you. Share our number 10115 with your family and friends! The more people enrolled, the more we are able to help missions. You need to re-enroll every year in January.

  • Logo of United Methodist Open Door, featuring a pink house with a yellow door, and text indicating services for food, clothing, and shelter.

    United Methodist Open Door

    Provides services to the homeless and poor in Wichita and an eight county area. Services include food, clothing, day shelter for the homeless, transitional housing and other programs. Volunteer opportunities abound for individuals, families and students needing community service hours. Service can be on a one-time basis, monthly, weekly, daily or whatever schedule best fits your life. For more information or to volunteer, contact United Methodist Open Door at 267-4201 or visit their website at www.umopendoor.org.

  • GraceMed logo with a gray and red medical cross symbol and the text 'GraceMed' in red and black.

    GraceMed Health Clinic

    GraceMed is a ministry of the United Methodist Church serving people in the Wichita area that have no other access to health care. It provides both medical and dental care to more than 32,000 people annually. In addition to financial contributions, donations of surplus equipment and supplies are also welcomed. there are also various work projects through the year for those wanting to donate time. Call 866-2069 for more information or visit their website at www.gracemed.org.