F.I.R.S.T. Tuesdays
Showing Up When It Mattered Most:
September F.I.R.S.T. Tuesday
Meeting our community in the middle of a hard week.
Recent storms left widespread damage across KCK, and many of our neighbors were without power, some for a few hours, others still without days later. This month's F.I.R.S.T. Tuesday couldn't have come at a better time.
Our team saw a record number of neighbors come through the Mobile Health Clinic at our KCK location. Seven preventive health screenings, five home glucometers for those screening pre-diabetic or diabetic, and three new patients connected to care, all previously uninsured. Church of the Resurrection brought their Mobile Food Pantry with groceries and pantry staples, and Community Impact Church and First Baptist Church of Basehor served up a free hot dog lunch and prayer for anyone who wanted it, something the two churches will now be doing together every month.
The morning also carried real, practical relief. Thanks to a donation from Walmart, 12 families and 52 individuals across Wyandotte County went home with cleaning supplies, mops, brooms, and paper towels to start putting their homes back together. Heart to Heart supplied 34 hygiene kits, and 50-plus pairs of socks went home with neighbors who needed them. If storm damage is still affecting your household, the fastest way to get help is to call 311.
That's F.I.R.S.T. Tuesday: Food, Information, Resources, Screenings, and Truth, free and all in one place, the first Tuesday of every month. If you've never been, October is your morning. Bring a friend, bring your family, and see for yourself.
Next Up: October F.I.R.S.T. Tuesday
Tuesday, Oct. 6 · 10am to 11:30am
721 N. 31st Street, Kansas City, KS
First come, first served. While supplies last.
October's focus is breast health and early awareness, in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Education will center on understanding risk factors and the value of timely follow-up care, because awareness leads to action, and action leads to better outcomes.
And because heart health matters every day of the month, not just one morning, our free cholesterol resource is yours to keep, share, and come back to.
2026 F.I.R.S.T. Tuesdays Schedule
Each F.I.R.S.T. Tuesday integrates Food, Information, Resources, Screenings, and Truth into one coordinated community health initiative. Monthly focus areas align with nationally recognized health observances to ensure relevance, prevention, and long-term impact for Kansas City families.
December 1
Winter Wellness and Flu Prevention
National Influenza Vaccination Awareness Month
December focuses on protecting families during the winter months through flu prevention education and general wellness. Screenings and conversations will highlight respiratory health and strategies to reduce seasonal illness.
October 6
Breast Health and Early Awareness
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October highlights the importance of early detection and preventive screening. Education will focus on understanding risk factors and the value of timely follow up care. Awareness leads to action, and action leads to better outcomes.
November 3
Harvest of Hope
American Diabetes Month
November integrates food support with education on blood sugar management and diabetes prevention. Screenings and guidance will help families navigate the holiday season with informed choices that support stable glucose levels and overall wellness.
Past Resources.
Explore previous monthly health topics and download resources.
April 2026
Stress Awareness
May 2026
Women’s Health
May centered on women's preventive health, with screenings and education focused on cardiovascular health, emotional well-being and routine preventive care. The month honored the caregivers in our community while encouraging the women who care for everyone else to prioritize their own health first.
April focused on the impact of stress on physical and mental health. Resources highlighted the connection between chronic stress and conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure and depression, along with practical strategies to build healthier coping habits and protect long term wellbeing.
June focused on the health of men and the conditions that affect them most. Resources highlighted why men are less likely to seek preventive care, along with the leading concerns like heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes that are often preventable or manageable when caught early.
July centered on mental and emotional wellness in recognition of National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. Resources highlighted the barriers that can keep neighbors from seeking support, like cost, language and stigma, along with reminders that caring for your mind matters as much as caring for your body.
September focused on cholesterol in recognition of National Cholesterol Education Month. Resources covered the basics of understanding HDL and LDL, along with practical steps like eating smart, moving more and knowing your fats, because small, steady choices are what actually keep cholesterol numbers in a healthy range.
June 2026
Men's Health
August focused on personal hygiene as families headed back to school. Resources covered the everyday basics that protect health, like handwashing, oral care and skin care, along with supplies to take home, because these habits are easier to keep when the things you need are already sitting on the shelf.
August 2026
Personal Hygiene
July 2026
Mental Health
September 2026
Cholesterol
Mercy & Truth
721 N. 31st St.
Kansas City, KS
FREE! But always first come, first served and while supplies last.
First Tuesday
of Every Month
10 - 11:30 a.m.*
Serving the
greater Kansas City metro.
Food.
Information.
Resources.
Screenings.
Truth.
At Mercy & Truth, we believe Life-Changing Care should be accessible, preventive, and consistent.
That is why we launched F.I.R.S.T. Tuesdays, a monthly outreach initiative serving individuals and families across Kansas City, Kansas and Wyandotte County.
F.I.R.S.T. is more than a name. It reflects the structure of each.
On the first Tuesday of every month, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM at our Kansas City, KS location, we bring these five elements together in one place to reduce barriers and increase access to care.
This is practical support combined with preventive healthcare.
What You Can Expect
-
Food insecurity remains a significant challenge for many families in Kansas City.
Through mobile food pantry partnerships and on-site distribution, F.I.R.S.T. Tuesdays provides:
Fresh and shelf stable groceries
Supplemental food support
Hotdogs, chips, and water bottles served on site
This immediate assistance helps relieve pressure while families work toward greater stability.
-
Health education empowers better decision making.
Each month aligns with nationally recognized health awareness initiatives, providing relevant, timely education on topics such as:
Cancer prevention
Kidney health
Mental health
Women’s health
Immunizations
Diabetes prevention
Cholesterol management
Fact sheets and one-on-one conversations with healthcare professionals ensure information is clear and actionable.
-
Access to care should not feel complicated.
Our team connects individuals to:
Mercy & Truth clinic appointments
Follow-up medical care
Preventive screenings
Community health partners
Ongoing support services
F.I.R.S.T. Tuesdays is designed to be a doorway into long term healthcare access, not just a single event.
-
Preventive screenings are one of the most effective tools for reducing long term complications from chronic disease.
Our Mobile Health Clinic is on site at every F.I.R.S.T. Tuesday event providing free, confidential screenings, including:
Blood Pressure
Total Cholesterol
Blood Sugar
Height, Weight, and BMI
Hemoglobin A1c
Personalized Health Education
If follow-up care is needed, our staff will assist in scheduling appointments at one of Mercy & Truth’s two convenient clinic locations.
-
Truth is foundational to everything we do.
At Mercy & Truth, we believe truth includes clear health education, honest conversations about risk factors, and compassionate care rooted in dignity and respect.
For those seeking spiritual encouragement, it also reflects our commitment to whole body care that addresses body, mind, and spirit.
Truth means meeting real needs with integrity.
Why F.I.R.S.T. Tuesdays
Matter
Wyandotte County continues to face challenges in food security, chronic disease, and access to preventive care.
F.I.R.S.T. Tuesdays reduces barriers by integrating Food, Information, Resources, Screenings, and Truth into one consistent monthly event. Life-Changing Care begins with accessibility, education, and trusted relationships.
Get Involved.
Mercy & Truth welcomes:
Community health partners
Food distribution partners
Volunteers
Organizations serving Kansas City families
Contact us to learn more about partnerships and volunteering.