Matthew Entringer’s Street Support expands resources and reach for houseless in KC

Photo Courtesy of Matthew Entringer 

Street Support began with Matthew Entringer handing out a few draw string bags and socks outside downtown’s Central Library in May 2023. What was once a one-man effort is now a U-Haul-renting, multi-bin, multi-person effort to aid the local community experiencing houselessness.

Volunteers convene on the western corner of the Central Library at W. 10th and Baltimore the first weekend of every month to lay out donations and food: rain, snow, shine—or post tornado warning.

This past Saturday, over a hundred people turned out to access food, clothing, and essentials provided by the organization. 

Founder Matthew Entringer lived around the corner from the Central Library and walked by on his way to work. He noticed people lining up early outside on Saturdays to access the shelter. He decided to pair location and need together and began outreach in a small way. As momentum grew and his one-bedroom increasingly filled with donations, more volunteers became involved.

The operation grew significantly, especially with partnerships over the last year. Street Support now partners with the KC Teaching Clinic, Behavioral Health Group, KC Pet Project, Harvesters, and Hyvee to provide access to healthcare, addiction assistance, food, and animal care alongside collected donations.

They’re seeking continued support from the community, especially citing the need for donations of sleeping bags and men’s clothes.

Photo courtesy Matthew Entringer

Over the years, Entringer has come to know the people he serves personally. A man named Dennis pops by our conversation to say hello to Matthew before he heads out. Entringer says, “This is a volunteer opportunity where you actually see the people, and you get to know them. It takes homelessness from an ambiguous percentage-based thing to, this is Dennis and Katelyn and Bob — you actually get to know the people.”

Cathy Entringer, Matthew’s mom, became involved with the organization early on. She recently set up the program between Street Support and Harvesters, going morning-of to pick up sack lunch donations from them.

Her and husband Mike—manning the flashlight section of the line—relocated to KC from South Dakota last June after retiring. They came down every first weekend to volunteer with Street Support before moving. She says of the food partnerships, “I’ve never seen so many generous people here in Kansas and Missouri. They’re good back there, but around here, nobody ever says ‘no,’ you know? It’s just wonderful to have the outreach of our volunteers, and we love our guests.”

Food banks like Harvesters have recently been experiencing food donation shortages due to higher demand, says Cathy. Street Support usually receives twice as many sack lunches. Monetary donations to food banks can stretch a dollar further than individual grocery store donations.

Volunteers this Saturday don name tags to emphasize a community environment. They help patrons navigate clothing sizes and provide quick access to essentials.

Entringer says, “It’s important for us to be a hub and make people feel seen as best we can—more than just a spot to get clothes, we can be a spot to get to know people.”

Photo courtesy Matthew Entringer

Ryan Ranzau is a medical student at KU who’s been volunteering with Street Support for a year. He was looking to get involved in the community after moving from Wichita. He speaks to the hands-on nature of Street Support: “Some charities, you volunteer but you don’t see the direct impact. It really impressed me how much of a difference we make. This is a lot of people we serve once a month.”

Linda Carpentier heads the beginning of the volunteer tables. She’s been with Street Support for over three years now. Daughters Claudia and Elle are by her side this Saturday.

Carpentier shares a personal reason for coming to volunteer: homelessness has affected someone in her family, who has since passed away. “When something like that hits — there’s a perception of homelessness that so many people look past them, instead of helping, they look at them like they’re not worthy of a hand up.” She holds the experience close to her. “So when I found Matt’s organization, it was the right fit.”

Alongside volunteers, Entringer sorts and preps donations in his two-car Roeland Park garage on the Thursday before. The extensive time he puts into the organization outside work makes all this possible.

“Right now, it’s the first Saturday of every month. We’d love to be able to do it more often and we’re at the point where we’re getting enough supplies and volunteers that we can be able to do that.”  

You can check out more about their mission and get involved or donate items for next month’s meet-up.