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 Care Ministry
East Heights United Methodist Church has partnered in some capacity with Jefferson Elementary School since 1946. This month, we are excited to launch a new program: Jefferson Care Ministry. With 381 students, 92% live in or at risk of poverty and 80% come from historically underrepresented backgrounds. With this, our leaders and volunteers have noticed a rise in requests for basic needs such as hygiene products, clothing items, household goods, and more. Some of the 54 staff members at the school have developed an online form they can fill out to make known the needs of their students. That form will be received by our Jefferson Care Ministry team who will either purchase the item in case of an emergency or update an online sign-up. Here’s how you can help! The link is below and you can provide for the basic needs of Jefferson students and families. Simply click the link, sign up to purchase an item, buy it, and deliver it to East Heights. This is a simple and vital ministry to support as we look to provide for local families in our community. Thie list will be updated as we receive requests, so be on the lookout each week! Thank you for your continued generosity and support of East Heights and Jefferson Elementary School! Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D45AEA82EABFCC07-66312883-supporting
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
Our final Family Promise Week of 2026 is coming up soon! The families will arrive on Sunday, October 25th and be here through the morning of November 1st. We would love to have you join us as we welcome them for the week. You can sign-up here to provide grab and go breakfast and lunch items East Heights UMC: Family Promise Week Food Needs and here East Heights UMC Host Week | VOMO to volunteer. The VOMO is a new volunteer sign-up, replacing Sign-Up Genius so you will need to create an account to be able to sign-up. Once you do, you will just need to log-in after that. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Paige Nelson at paige@ehumc.org or in the church office.
Other Off-Site Ministry Opportunities in Wichita and the Surrounding Area
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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.
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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.
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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.