The Need

Johnson County is one of the wealthiest counties in the United States. However, many residents of Johnson County are struggle to make ends meet. Research from United Community Services of Johnson County (UCS) shows that poverty in Johnson County has risen significantly since 2000:

	More than 23,000 Johnson County residents were living at or below the federal poverty line in 2003, which is a 50% increase over the number living in poverty in 2000
	Nearly 8,000 of these residents living in poverty were children, which is double the number of children living in poverty in 2000
	Use of Food Stamps by Johnson County residents increased 18% from 2003 to 2004
	The number of children who qualify for free or reduced cost school lunches has grown by double digits in each of Johnson County's six school districts in recent years, with an 84% increase in Blue Valley and an 86% increase in Olathe

In addition, a homeless census conducted on January 27, 2005 found that at least 276 people were homeless in Johnson County on that day. Of these, 190 were persons in families, including 122 children.

Johnson County Interfaith Hospitality Network, Inc. addresses this need. In addition to financial support, donated items keep the Family Center running. Click here to view our current Wish List.

This page was updated on January 09, 2008 .