Journey Home seeks $4,900 for feeding program and proposes five-day resource center to address homelessness

Mary McCord and colleagues from Journey Home told the Warrensburg City Council they are asking the city for $4,900 to buy food for the organization’s feeding program and outlined a plan to expand operations to a five-day resource center.

“In 2024, we gave about 15,600 meals,” McCord told council members, and she said Journey Home expects that number to rise to about 18,000 meals for 2025. McCord said food donations come from Harvesters and First Presbyterian Church provides kitchen space; the $4,900 request would pay directly for food supplies.

McCord and co-director Melissa Collins described existing services: a 20-bed shelter established in 2020, a free shop for furniture and household items, and a day center that now feeds breakfast and lunch two days a week. They said volunteers from several faith communities and secular organizations staff the work.

In remarks after the presentation, Reverend Heather Jepsen of First Presbyterian Church said the church has provided basement space for two days per week and that the church pays utilities and supports the meals program. Jepsen urged the council to consider funding a multi-day resource center, saying such a center would give service partners a stable hub to meet clients, help with applications, and provide respite for people who are homeless.

Council members asked about meal counts and volunteer sources; presenters confirmed volunteers come from multiple congregations and that daily meal demand often exceeds available food. Journey Home said it currently serves about 70 lunches when it offers a midday meal and about 20–25 breakfasts at each breakfast service.

The council did not vote on the funding request at the meeting; McCord said the organization would return as staff and council work through budget planning.