Since meal service started on February 13, 2002, The Lord's Diner has served an average of 425 hot, nourishing meals per day between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. At least 10 percent of the guests who dine at The Lord's Diner are under the age of 18.

The Lord's Diner is dedicated to improving the health of the community by ensuring that anyone in need receives daily nutrition in a dignified and caring environment from two locations. National studies show that students who are hungry cannot learn; that workers who are hungry have increased potential for accidents and illness, and indigents who are hungry lost the hope and strength that motivates them to improve their circumstances. Young children who go hungry are subject to lifelong health and learning problems.

The Lord's Diner, a ministry of the Catholic Diocese of Wichita, has an interdenominational board, and volunteers are drawn from the broader Wichita community whose sole purpose it to feed the hungry daily.  Support for the project's operations is from corporate and private contributions and in-kind donations of food and services.

Built For and by the Community...

More than 175 local companies participated in constructing the original building that houses the first Lord's Diner location. Many of these companies donated materials and labor. Because of the generosity of those involved in constructing The Lord's Diner, meal service takes place in a debt-free facility.

This collaborative and creative effort has extended into the daily operations of both Lord's Diner locations. Over 5,500 volunteers from service organizations, parishes, corporate community programs, and churches, signed up to work in the project during the first year of operation. Training participants and maintaining this level of enthusiasm and community involvement is a primary activity of the Diner's small paid staff.