The IRC in Wichita will be given $14,000 in in-kind goods thanks to a generous donation from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, (LDS Church). The donation is part of the church's $3.8 million dollar commitment to organizations in the United States who are resettling refugees.

Items will be given to refugees rebuilding their lives in Wichita through the church’s two charity storehouses; Kansas City Bishop’s Storehouse and Deseret Manufacturing. Items may be given to refugees who have been resettled by the IRC and also for past clients who may have an emerging need. 

Items from the Bishop’s Storehouse consist of grocery items which may be purchased individually or in bulk for clients. Through Deseret Industries/Deseret Manufacturing household items and furniture may be acquired and given to refugees upon their arrival in Kansas.  The impact from this donation will be significant for refugees as it will save initial resettlement funds, thus making those funds stretch further so that a client may be able to use them for rent or utilities while clients are on their road to self-sufficiency. “We hope that the donations will relieve some financial pressure off of the initial resettlement funds so that resources can be stretched further. We also hope that the refugee families will feel that someone cares and have given them these items to help them start their new life in Wichita,” said Kim Daley, Director of Public Affairs for the Kansas-Wichita Area Council of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (and also IRC Wichita volunteer). “We would like for these donations to be used to help newly-arrived refugees get their homes set up and that it will assist them in feeling that they can make their home here,” Daley said.

“The refugee program thrives today because communities and organizations such as the LDS Church continue to support refugee resettlement.” said, Michele Green, Executive Director for the IRC in Wichita. “IRC is thankful for the continued support of the LDS Church, as are the families who will benefit from the generous contribution.” Green, said.