On the last Friday of every month, the line starts forming early outside Progressive Missionary Baptist Church. Some people arrive hours before distribution begins. Some sit quietly in their cars. Others talk softly with neighbors they’ve come to recognize over time.
No one is rushed. No one is questioned.
Inside the church, this scene isn’t viewed as a problem to manage—it’s a responsibility to honor.
“We’re not running a membership drive,” says Buck DeShazer Sr., senior pastor of Progressive. “We’re on a Jesus drive.”
That philosophy—service without strings—has quietly transformed Progressive Missionary Baptist Church into one of Wichita’s most consistent community hubs for families facing food insecurity, economic strain, and unmet basic needs.
A Community Hub Built on Trust
Located in northeast Wichita, Progressive Missionary Baptist Church has become a place people return to because they know what to expect: dignity, consistency, and help without judgment.
Through its outreach arm, the Progressive Community Outreach Program (PCOP), the church responds to immediate needs while building long-term trust—particularly among individuals who may be wary of institutions that come with requirements or expectations.
Pastor DeShazer’s leadership is rooted in lived experience and a theology that prioritizes action. Under his guidance, Progressive has focused less on numbers and more on presence—being there, month after month, even when resources are stretched.
“If people are willing to wait,” he often says, “we’re willing to serve.”
Responding to Hunger, One Month at a Time
Progressive’s mobile food drive began during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. While many emergency programs have since scaled back, the need has not.
In partnership with the Kansas Food Bank, the church distributes food on the last Friday of each month, serving between 125 and 200 families per distribution.
The church also participates in the Wichita Food Bank Commodities Program, providing USDA-supported food on the third Saturday of designated months. When both distributions occur in the same month, nearly 300 households receive support—helping families stretch limited grocery budgets and maintain stability.
The long lines are a visible reminder that food insecurity remains a daily reality in Wichita. Progressive’s response has been steady: show up, keep serving, and don’t turn people away.
Addressing Hygiene Insecurity With Care
Food isn’t the only need Progressive addresses.
Through a partnership with Simply Hygiene, the church provides free hygiene supplies directly from its building during regular weekday hours—offering assistance discreetly, not just during large events.
Families can receive essentials such as diapers, toilet tissue, shampoo, soap, laundry detergent, toothpaste, and personal-care items for men and women. When available, the program also includes hair and skin-care products designed to meet the needs of African American families.
By offering hygiene support consistently and without barriers, the church helps families protect their health—and their dignity—while easing financial pressure.
Faith in Action, Day by Day
While Pastor DeShazer provides spiritual and visionary leadership, the church’s day-to-day operations rely on a small but committed team. Among them is Regina McCarty, the church secretary, whose role often places her at the first point of contact for people seeking help.
Her presence helps ensure that those calling or walking through the doors are met with clarity, compassion, and direction—reinforcing the church’s role not just as a place of worship, but as a dependable resource.
Committed to the Long View
Despite having a modest congregation and limited financial resources, Progressive Missionary Baptist Church continues to expand its vision. Plans are underway to transition toward a full-time pantry and commissary space—an expansion that would allow for more frequent food access, improved storage capacity, and expanded hygiene and clothing support for individuals and families in need.
The goal is to create a more stable, accessible system of care that meets people where they are, without limiting help to once-a-month distributions.
“Feeding the body is often the first step toward healing the heart,” Pastor DeShazer says.
At Progressive, that belief isn’t a slogan—it’s a monthly commitment.
How to Get Connected
Progressive Missionary Baptist Church
2727 E. 25th Street North
Wichita, KS 67219
316-685-1328
Individuals, families, and community partners may call or visit the church office for information about food distributions, commodities schedules, hygiene assistance, or partnership opportunities.
