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.
Resources for Drinking Water in Wichita
Last updated July 7, 2022.
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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