Since meal service has started on February 13, 2002, The Lord's Diner has served an average of 400 hot, nourishing meals per day between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. At least ten 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. 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.

An independent nonprofit entity, The Lord's Diner has an interdenominational board and volunteers are drawn from the broader Wichita community. Although the Catholic Diocese of Wichita initiated the project, it is a non-denominational program whose sole purpose it to feed the hungry daily. The Diocese currently serves as fiscal agent for the project and provides administrative and development resources as a contribution to keeping overhead low. 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 building that houses The Lord's Diner. 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 The Lord's Diner. 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.