THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 38, NO. 18 | DECEMBER 16, 2016
‘God is throwing grace all over this’
K By Elaine Garrison Special to The Leaven
ANSAS CITY, Mo. — Visitors to the Giving the Basics warehouse see well-organized bins, barrels and carts. Teresa Hamilton sees containers brimming with dignity and success for the needy. The charity’s executive director and founder — and Queen of the Holy Rosary, Wea, parishioner — was inspired in what she says was a catalyzing moment in her life, like the turning on of a proverbial spiritual light bulb. It started off simply enough: A family in need came to the attention of Hamilton and a small group of people. The family had food, but no hygiene products. After helping with those and other cleanliness needs, one family member regained her dignity and got a job. That became the formula for Giving the Basics. “Yay!” thought Hamilton, when she realized how much the products had helped that family. “Yay, God!” But the idea, born Nov. 11, 2011, in Hamilton’s garage, seemed to take on a life of its own. Now, Giving the Basics occupies about 18,000 square feet in Dean’s Downtown Underground on W. 31st St. near the Coleman Highlands neighborhood in Kansas City, Missouri. The Dean family has been instrumental in helping the charity grow, charging the nonprofit much-reduced rent. “All this got lost in food,” said Hamilton, as she gestured toward carts, shelves and bins of shampoo, laundry detergent and packages of incontinence supplies. “Food stamps (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) take care of food, but they can’t be used for any of this.” Giving the Basics serves pantries and Catholic Charities organizations on both sides of the state line. This year to date, Giving has logged 577,423 items at the 65 pantries served. At Metro Lutheran Ministry in Kansas City, Missouri, Kimberlye Bernard oversees the food pantry. “We have been partners with Giving the Basics for almost two years now,” she said. “It has been >> See “OPERATION” on page 4
ENCUENTRO
LEAVEN PHOTO BY LORI WOOD HABIGER
MOVE THE LINE
Volunteers at Giving the Basics sort and package items such as razors, combs, shampoo, deodorant and feminine products — things that can’t be bought with food stamps and aren’t readily available at emergency assistance centers. The items are donated to clients all across that Kansas City metro area.
Members of the archdiocesan Hispanic community look to the future. Page 3
DOUBLE BLESSING
Sons lead Olathe family on life-changing journey. Page 16
GUADALUPE
Leaven photographers capture the highlights from three Our Lady of Guadalupe celebrations. Pages 8-9