About Us

St. Mark's United Methodist Church with blossoming trees in spring.

Our Story

Since 2003, Santa Fe Waystation has been distributing food to the hungry in our community. When first opened, the pantry served 8 to 10 families each week. Today, that number has grown to serving over 28,000 people per year.

The Pantry, based out of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Overland Park, KS, provides food and basic supplies for families in five counties using resources from federal government (TEFAP), Harvesters, grants, and donations from several organizations, individuals and businesses.

Annually, the Pantry distributes approximately $1,000,000 worth of food and supplies. Santa Fe Waystation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and a Harvesters A-rated food pantry.

Our Name

The name Santa Fe means "Holy Faith" which defines the Christian community from which the waystation was born. The name Waystation is one familiar to the pioneers who traveled the Santa Fe Trail and settled the west in the 19th century. A waystation was a place of rest and comfort for travelers on their journey. Travelers would find a place of welcome where they might stop, rest and take in nourishment before continuing their journey.

We offer a place where those in need might find welcome and help for the journey. We believe the names suit our mission well and hope to remain faithful to its meaning.

A woman in a blue jacket holding bags of leafy greens indoors.

Our Mission

The Santa Fe Waystation (SFW), located at St. Mark's United Methodist Church on the Santa Fe Trail, offers a food pantry, social, educational and wellness resources in the Kansas City area. Our goal is to connect our guests with the services they require.

Hand holding phone with weather update on screen against chalkboard.

Weather Policy and Emergency Procedures

With the winter weather upon us, here is a quick reminder of our Inclement Weather Policy:

SFW follows the weather-related openings and closings of the Shawnee Mission School District. The pantry will be closed both morning and evening sessions, if schools are closed because of inclement weather.

While schools may remain open, SFW may still need to close at times. Because we operate as a drive-thru pantry, our volunteers work outdoors, and extreme weather conditions can impact their safety.

Three smiling women pose together indoors in casual attire.

Staff and Board of Directors

Cindy Beals, Executive Director

Jennifer Magee, Board Chair

Kathy Lewis, Secretary

Windy Zeigler, Treasurer

Diane Baker, Member at Large

Tom Barrett, Member at Large

Janet Carter, Member at Large

Mike Lobb, Member at Large

Joan Robinson, Member at Large

Billie Jo Roebuck, Member at Large