In a state where 1 in 10 adults and 1 in 5 children experience hunger, Humanity House works daily to restore hope by providing food, utility payments, rent payments and providing a place where all are treated with respect.
Our Mission is three-fold - to impact physical, emotional, and spiritual poverty in our communities.
We address physical poverty by taking steps to end food insecurity, operating a food pantry and community garden; reducing homelessness by providing financial assistance for utilities and rent; and paying for medical expenses as necessary to aid people in remaining in their homes.
To impact emotional poverty we increase opportunities for people to connect with others in the community and reduce isolation and loneliness, becoming more aware of social resources in their community.
To impact spiritual poverty we support people in improving their life situations and reducing learned hopelessness and learned helplessness, restoring dignity. We seek to focus on providing support to aid people in healing their brokenness as they take new steps in their lives.
Food Pantry
“I went to bed hungry many nights as a child. It was a Dream that dressed me up when I was ragged, and it was a Dream that filled me up when I was hungry. Now it’s my Dream to see that no child in this world ever goes hungry, certainly not here in America, the most bountiful country in the world. We can do better…we must!” ~ Dolly Parton
Humanity House began in 2016 during a Santa’s Toy Shop event put on by Tracy Call. A little boy, having difficulties choosing a gift was asked what he wanted. He replied, “All I want for Christmas is food in my house.”
Tracy decided to do something about children, their families and the elderly who go hungry. In doing research, she found that help with food, utilities and housing were the most requested needs in Allen County, Kansas.
Based on these needs, Tracy with the tremendous help of Georgia Masterson, founded Humanity House.
Tracy served as Executive Director until her retirement in June 2023 and Georgia, as the Board Treasurer. Together they divided the work of running Humanity House, with Tracy running projects such as the Humanity House Community Garden, operating Santa’s Toy Shop, lighting the Iola and Humboldt town squares, creating Little Lending Libraries all over Allen County, organizing classes and raising awareness regarding the issues that those in poverty meet everyday. Tracy’s articles in the newspaper further increased awareness.
Georgia continues her labor of love for those in poverty by running the everyday operations of the office; filing LIEAP applications, SNAP applications, and assisting with filing income taxes and Kansas Homestead applications for low-income individuals. She provides training to educate the community by teaching “Bridges Out of Poverty” classes and serves as treasurer of the board. She continues to volunteer and exemplifies the heart of Humanity House.
Together Tracy and Georgia formed a great team with the citizens of Allen County who shared their concerns and donated to help countless individuals and families stay in their homes with the utilities on and food in their cupboards.
Through free classes they have helped bridge the divide between those who have and those who don’t ever being mindful that KINDNESS MATTERS!
