MYTH - There are very few homeless people in Wichita.

FACT - In a one day Point-In-Time Count survey conducted on January 25, 2006, 589 people were identified as being homeless in Wichita. Two hundred eighty-three were in emergency shelters, 111 were in transitional housing and 195 were on the streets with no shelter at all. These numbers do not included individuals and families who are without homes and are staying with friends or family.

MYTH - People who eat at The Lord's Diner are just too lazy to get a job.

FACT - Almost one in every five homeless people is employed and even people with jobs and homes often have to choose between buying food and paying for housing. Guests of The Lord's Diner are a diverse mix of the working poor, unemployed and homeless. Nearly 10 percent of our guests are under the age of 12.

MYTH - The need is greater in the cold winter months.

FACT - Hunger knows no season and in fact The Lord's Diner is busier in the warmer months than in the colder months. The biggest contributing factor to this is the mode of transportation for those we serve. Since the majority of guests at The Lord's Diner walk to get there, the longer days of summer allow for people from farther away to walk to our location, eat and still be able to walk home in the daylight.

MYTH - The Lord's Diner is full of volunteers.

FACT - The Lord's Diner is blessed to have more than 5,500 volunteers but that doesn't mean we don't need more! With only seven paid staff, volunteers are vital to achieving our mission. Although space is limited, there are some nights, especially on the weekends and at the end of the month that we could use some additional help. If you are interested in starting a new group or would just like to sign-up as an individual to volunteer please contact Sheryl Gulick, our director of volunteers, at 266-4966.

MYTH - The Lord's Diner is a part of Catholic Charities.

FACT - The Lord's Diner is operating as a 501© 3 charity under the umbrella of the Catholic Diocese of Wichita, but its existence is a combined effort of the diocese and the greater Wichita Community. Our volunteers and donors are local individuals, businesses and organizations representing people of all faiths. We are truly a program of the people.