Today we’d like to introduce you to Dave Hickman.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
In 2017, my family and I discovered a small grassroots group called Free Hot Soup that served meals to low income and houseless individuals in Kansas City. We signed up to bring drinks to one of their community picnics and were overwhelmed by the turnout and the sense of connection. We felt called to return again and again until it became a regular part of our lives. Before long, we graduated from bringing drinks to preparing full meals, and along the way, we met incredible people whose stories truly moved us.
Eventually, we connected with others who lived north of the river and saw an opportunity to expand the effort. That’s how Free Hot Soup Northland was born, with no resources except determination and a few garage shelves filled with donated food and supplies. Over time, our small team grew, and we began reaching those in need across the Northland, from Platte City to Liberty and all the way down to the riverfront.
In 2019, the congregation of Englewood Baptist Church offered us a storage space for our growing collection of canned goods, blankets, and camping supplies. Then in 2021, A Turning Point moved onto the same campus and we quickly realized we shared the same mission: to provide food, clothing, and most importantly, hope and connection for those in need. Merging with A Turning Point allowed our efforts to grow even stronger, and today, our work continues through their Community Meals program.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Any charity will tell you there are plenty of struggles along the way, and our story is no different. In the early days, our biggest challenge was simply finding enough food and supplies to meet the growing need. We got creative and partnered with other groups, sharing surplus items, and learning how to stretch every donation to make sure no one went hungry.
We’ve also faced our share of obstacles from city regulations and misunderstandings about what we do. In 2018, for example, several of our Free Hot Soup groups, including ours in the Northland, were stopped from serving meals due to health department concerns. They even poured bleach on the food we intended to serve that day! It was a difficult moment, but our community came together, and we quickly found ways to continue supporting those who rely on us. That experience only strengthened our resolve and ultimately helped open a dialogue with local leaders about compassion, safety, and the right to care for one another.
More recently, at A Turning Point, we’ve encountered new challenges as we’ve worked to expand services for those in need. Our incredible volunteers helped create a Guesthouse on campus offering laundry, showers, social work assistance, clothing, meals, and even free medical care. While the city council chose not to renew the permit for that facility, we haven’t slowed down. Instead, we’ve adapted taking many of those services directly to where our unhoused neighbors live through outreach.
You can’t stop a passionate volunteer and we’re proof of that!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about A Turning Point?
A Turning Point is so much more than a food pantry, it’s a place of hope, connection, and second chances. Located in Gladstone, Missouri, we help individuals and families who are struggling to make ends meet by providing food, clothing, household essentials, and support. But what really makes A Turning Point special is the way we do it, with compassion, dignity, and a belief that everyone deserves to be seen and cared for.
Our volunteers don’t just hand someone a bag of groceries and send them on their way. We listen, we share stories, and we remind people they’re not alone. It’s about neighbors helping neighbors, something that’s easy to forget in today’s world but is still so powerful when it happens.
One of the programs closest to my heart is Community Meals, which grew from a small grassroots effort into a vital part of our mission. Each week we gather around food, friendship, and understanding. It’s amazing what a warm meal and a little kindness can do for someone who’s had a tough day (or a tough year).
What sets A Turning Point apart is that we meet people where they are, without judgment, and help them move forward. We’re proud of the partnerships, the volunteers, and the sense of belonging that’s grown out of this little corner of Gladstone.
At its core, A Turning Point is proof that compassion changes lives and that when a community comes together, amazing things can happen.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
There are so many ways people can make a difference with A Turning Point, and every bit of help truly matters. The simplest way is to volunteer! Whether that’s serving at one of our community meals, sorting clothing donations, stocking our food pantry, or helping during special events. We welcome individuals, families, church groups, scout troops, and businesses, really anyone with a heart to serve.
For those who can’t give their time, donations go a long way. We always need food, hygiene products, and seasonal items like coats or blankets. Monetary donations are equally impactful because they help us meet urgent needs quickly like restocking the pantry, providing emergency assistance, or fueling our outreach programs.
We’re also eager to collaborate with other organizations, schools, and local businesses that share our belief in lifting up our community. Partnering with us might mean hosting a food drive, sponsoring an event, or connecting us with resources that strengthen our mission.
Ultimately, what we need most are people who care and who want to show up, lend a hand, and remind our neighbors that they’re not forgotten. Whether it’s once a month or once a year, your involvement helps keep hope alive for families who need it most.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aturningpointkc.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_turning_point_kc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aturningpointkc
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574458448712
