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By Melissa Brunner
Published: Feb. 18, 2026 at 6:21 PM EST
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – When you’re worried about getting enough food to eat, it’s tough to worry about much else.
That’s why SENT Topeka makes addressing food insecurity a starting point for other services. SENT operations director Jill Rice visited Eye on NE Kansas to explain.
Rice said SENT operates the Southside Filling station one morning and one evening a week. She said it’s often the “front door” to providing wider supports.
Providing groceries is a building block for forming relationships, Rice said. She said, by building trust, they get people to open up about needs surrounding housing, employment, health access and youth support. People are then connected with other programs through SENT or the community to meet those needs.
People can support SENT’s initiatives by volunteering, donating, partnering or simply letting people in need know SENT exisits.
Learn more about SENT at SENTTopeka.com. Information about Southside Filling Station can be found here. It’s open 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays and 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays at 455 SE Golf Park Blvd.
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