Water for the homeless in Wichita

If you are looking to donate water or in need of water in Wichita, read this. 

Water is a basic need. It doesn’t matter what path you take in life (or where life takes you), you need access to water to survive.

In the hot summer months, that need becomes more important for all our neighbors.

People who are experiencing homelessness, or struggle to pay for water services don’t have routine access to clean drinking water and are suffering.

A report from PBS NewsHour and the Associated Press shared research showing those who are homeless are about 200 times more likely than sheltered people to die from heat-associated causes.

United Way of the Plains, the Alliance of Overlooked Neighbors and many other organizations are working to address this issue. In addition to housing hundreds of people annually, this effort meets people’s immediate needs where they are: on the streets.

Everyone from elected officials to everyday citizens are stepping up to help. By coordinating our efforts, we can better help those that need water.

This image shows where there are hydration stations in Wichita. Click it to download.

“Wichita needs our non-profit partners to work together to help solve these major issues,” said Matt Lowe, United Way of the Plains Community Impact Manager for Basic Needs. “Clean drinking water is a basic need and when it gets hot outside and you are without shelter, you need to at least double your consumption to stay hydrated.”

The majority of stations are near where those experiencing homelessness access services, but there are locations across Wichita. This is a critical issue that cannot be addressed without whole-community collaboration.

“When you look at the map of hydration stations, where people in need can get clean drinking water, you see how many organizations there are in Wichita that are addressing homelessness. The more we work together, the more solutions we can find,” said Lowe.

A list of hydration stations available this summer around Wichita.
Resources for Drinking Water in Wichita

Last updated July 7, 2022. 

Permanent Hydration Station Locations

Click on map to be taken to an interactive experience. 

Locations of permanent hydration stations across Wichita.

Temporary Hydration Station Locations

Click on map to be taken to an interactive experience. 

Map of temporary hydration stations across Wichita.

Location Address Type Time
Breakthrough 1010 North Main Street Permanent
Wichita Public Library 1901 South Kansas   Street Permanent Monday: 1pm – 8pm
Tuesday – Friday: 11am – 6pm
Open Door 2130 East 21st Street North Permanent Monday – Friday: 9am – 2pm
Wichita State University’s Community Engagement Institute 238 North Mead Avenue Permanent Monday – Friday: 8am – 5pm
The Lord’s Diner 2520 North Broadway Street Permanent Thursday – Tuesday: 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Wednesday: 2pm – 7:30pm
Atwater Neighborhood Resource Center 2755 East 19th Street North Permanent Monday – Friday: 8:30am – 5:30am
Colvin Neighborhood Resource Center 2820 South Roosevelt Permanent Monday – Friday 8:30am – 5:30am
Catholic Charities (Our Daily Bread) 2825 North Hillside Street Permanent
Wichita Public Library 3051 East 21st Street North Permanent Tuesday: 1pm – 8pm
Wednesday – Saturday: 1pm – 6pm
Wichita Public Library 3447 South Meridian Street Permanent Monday – Thursday: 10am – 8pm
Friday – Saturday: 10am – 6pm
The Salvation Army Wichita 350 North Market Street Permanent
Wichita Public Library 4195 East Harry Street Permanent Monday: 1pm – 8pm
Tuesday – Friday: 11am – 6pm
Wichita Public Library 5939 East 9th Street North Permanent Monday – Thursday: 10am – 8pm
Friday – Saturday: 10am – 6pm
Sunday: 1pm – 5pm
Wichita Public Library – Advanced Learning Library 711 W 2nd Street Permanent Monday – Thursday: 10am – 8pm
Friday – Saturday: 10am – 6pm
Sunday: 1pm-6pm
Wichita Public Library 8515 Bekemeyer Street Permanent Monday – Thursday: 10am – 8pm
Friday – Saturday: 10am – 6pm
Sunday: 1pm – 5pm
QuikTrip 1010 East Douglas Avenue Temporary Open 24/7
HumanKind Ministries 1011 North Topeka Street Temporary
QuikTrip 1112 West Douglas Avenue Temporary Open 24/7
Northwest YMCA 13838 West 21st Street Temporary Monday – Friday: 9am – 5pm
CHD Boxing Club (ICT Community Fridge Location) 2505 East 9th Street North Temporary MWF: 4am – 9pm
T/Th:10am – 9pm
Saturday 11am – 7pm
The Knox Center (ICT Community Fridge Location) 2924 East Douglas Avenue Temporary Sunday – Thursday: 8am – 8pm
Friday: 8am – 12pm
Dead Center Vintage (ICT Community Fridge Location) 626 East Douglas Avenue Temporary Sunday – Thursday: 12pm – 6pm
Friday – Saturday: 11am – 7pm
COMCARE 635 North Main Street Temporary Open 24/7
QuikTrip 750 South Broadway Street Temporary Open 24/7
Safe Streets (St. Paul’s Lutheran Church) 925 North Waco Street Temporary July 11, 18, 20: 11am – 1pm
Leslie’s Coffee Co (ICT Community Fridge Location) 930 West Douglas Avenue Temporary Daily 6:30am – 6:30pm
Where to Donate Bottled Water in Wichita

If you would like to donate water in the Wichita area for those experiencing homelessness, contact the Alliance of Overlooked Neighbors. Find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheAONCoalition or email theaoncoalition@gmail.com.

211 Resources

You don’t have to be experiencing homelessness to be adversely affected by hot temperatures.

If you need help, our 211 Information and Referral service is a great resource. You can connect with us to get information about utility assistance and other programs, like free fan distributions.

Chat Online: Visit unitedwayplains.org/211 and click the “Live Chat” button. Available Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Call: Dial 2-1-1 to talk with a referral specialist. Available 24/7/365 in multiple languages.

Text: Text your ZIP code to 898-211. Available Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

211 is a confidential, free service available across the state of Kansas.

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Published On: July 7, 2022Tags: ,

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