EVERFULL
Everfull is pleased to announce the launch of new Friendship Meals and Meals on Wheels for the community of Hutchinson.
Effective September 8, 2025, Everfull will begin to offer a paid version of the Friendship Meals and Meals on Wheels programs it formerly provided. This new service is independent of congregate and home-delivered services provided by the South Central Kansas Area Agency on Aging and Hutchinson Meals on Wheels housed at The Wesley. Neither of Everfull’s Friendship Meals nor Meals on Wheels Hutchinson programs will be reliant on local, state, and/or federal funds.
Background
Everfull formerly provided Friendship Meals and Meals on Wheels in Hutchinson funded by county, state, and federal programs under the Older Americans Act Title III C1 and C2. Since services provided by Everfull ended on June 27, 2025, Everfull has been approached by community members, former staff, and participants to restart services.
In response, on September 2, 2025, Everfull put forth a proposal to the City of Hutchinson for consideration to provide emergency funds to allow for a smooth transition from a state and federal funding model to a self-pay model. In that proposal, Everfull requested up to $40,000 to support the program during the initial months of establishing a self-pay model, allowing a per-meal fee of $7.50 to immediately restore services to their prior level. The City of Hutchinson City Council ultimately tabled the consideration of the proposal.
After hearing of Everfull's presentation at the city council on September 2, 2025, donors have stepped forward and agreed to fill the funding gap to allow resumption of services. The donors have provided a guarantee of up to $40,000 to support Everfull during the start-up of this new program.
The Program
On September 8, 2025, Everfull will relaunch its Friendship Meals and Meals on Wheels programs. Services will initially be based out of Everfull’s Hutchinson location at 401 E 4th Avenue, Suite D in Hutchinson, Kansas 67501.
Members of the community, regardless of age, who need a location to meet for nutritious meals and powerful connections may contact Everfull to join our Friendship Meals program. Members of the community who need healthy meals but are unable to leave their homes may join the Meals on Wheels program. Both services are available for $7.50. Unlike the former program, which was restricted to those 60 years of age and older, the only requirement for participation in the program is the advance payment of the $7.50 fee.
Lucy Heller, President of the Board of Directors of Everfull, made the following statement: "Everfull is grateful to our donors who wish to remain anonymous for their support of our program. The donors are residents of the community who know the emergent nature of the problem and understand why Everfull's solution provides the logical next steps to support seniors who are in crisis due to the current situation.
This endorsement of trust in our services through a commitment of this amount humbles Everfull. We are so thankful there are individuals in Hutchinson who care deeply for their community and are willing to support Everfull in our services in Hutchinson."
Charles Johnston, Executive Director of Everfull, added, "Since the discontinuation of our services, we have heard daily from members of our community whose basic needs are not met. This generous commitment to support Everfull as we launch a paid model of the Friendship Meals and Meals on Wheels program is a testament to the hard work Everfull is doing every day in our communities. We are excited to return our services to Hutchinson to not only meet this urgent need but to expand our services to those in Hutchinson who desperately need these services but were previously not eligible.
Information about how to join the program can be directed to [email protected] or by calling 620-669-8201 and dialing zero ("0").
Everfull's Friendship Meals and Meals on Wheels program in Hutchinson are not related to services provided by The Wesley or the South Central Kansas Area Agency on Aging (SCKAAA) in Hutchinson. Everfull is no longer affiliated with SCKAAA and the communities served by SCKAAA. Information regarding services provided by SCKAAA and The Wesley should be directed to those organizations.
In conclusion, Johnston stated, “Everfull staff and volunteers are excited to get back to work providing Friendship Meals and Meals on Wheels to our hometown once again. We will do everything in our power to restore these programs that are free of the reliance on local, state, and federal government funding while seeking out opportunities in the near future to provide free or reduced-cost meals to those with the greatest need.”
Our services in Butler, Harvey, Sedgwick, and Reno counties depend on donations. Please consider giving a tax-deductible donation to Everfull at www.everfull.org or by sending it to 401 E 4th Avenue, Suite D, Hutchinson, Kansas 67501.