HumanKind Ministries raised more than $620,000 at its 76th annual Humanitarian Awards Benefit on Saturday, August 22, drawing more than 300 guests in support of the organization’s work to provide housing and supportive services in Wichita.
The event honored Gathered Executive Director Jae Hedrick, multi-faith action group Justice Together, and youth empowerment organization Legacy Works for their contributions to justice, citizenship, and belonging in the Wichita community.
With the theme Welcome Home, the benefit brought supporters together for a program focused on HumanKind’s housing mission and the role of community support in advancing it. The evening also featured remarks from past Humanitarian Award honorees, including Wichita City Council Member Joseph Shepard, former Miss Kansas Courtney Wages, and Dr. Saajan Bhakta, professor, author, and founder of PovSolve.
During the program, HumanKind announced a surprise $240,000 anonymous matching gift from the foundation of a prominent local family. Contributions from attendees, sponsors, and supporters brought the event total to more than $620,000.
The event also reflected HumanKind’s continued focus under new leadership. Following the addition of an all-new executive team in the last year, the 140-year-old nonprofit is emphasizing housing as the central focus of its next chapter. “Coming out of this season of transition, we are honoring our long history of serving the most vulnerable in the Wichita community,” said HumanKind President and CEO Adam Barlow-Thompson. “To do that best, we are getting really clear about what we do and do well — and that is housing. Housing is a tangible way to acknowledge the inherent worth and dignity of another human being, and every person deserves it.”
HumanKind will carry the momentum from the benefit into Operation Holiday, which launches next month. The annual campaign provides assistance during the holiday season, when housing insecurity can intensify as families and individuals face colder weather, higher utility costs, and increased seasonal expenses.