Topeka Food Pantry Supports Hi-Crest Families

The Southside Filling Station offers fresh food and transportation to residents in this designated food desert.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Healthy Food

Gouache-painted illustration of wooden produce crates filled with fresh vegetables, representing a community food pantry. — The Southside Filling Station in Topeka provides essential fresh groceries and transit support to hundreds of families each month. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you believe local food pantries are effectively addressing food insecurity in your community?

The Southside Filling Station in Topeka operates as a client-choice food pantry that serves approximately 600 families each month. Since opening in 2024, the facility has provided fresh produce, meat, dairy, and essential household items to residents of Hi-Crest, a designated food desert.

Why it matters

Local community surveys identified food access as a primary necessity for Hi-Crest, which currently faces barriers related to food, transportation, and childcare. This service helps bridge that gap by providing food and transit support without requiring proof of income.

A community survey of service users at the Southside Filling Station found that 71% of participants feared their food supply would expire and 68% reported that their food did not last. These results highlight the ongoing challenges in a region classified as a food desert.

The players

Southside Filling Station

A client-choice food pantry in Topeka providing fresh produce, meat, dairy, hygiene products, and transportation assistance.

The details

The Southside Filling Station operates as a client-choice pantry, allowing individuals to shop for items by category rather than receiving pre-packed supplies. The facility at 455 SE Golf Park Blvd offers produce, meat, dairy, pet food, and hygiene essentials. To mitigate local transportation barriers, the pantry provides transit for users living within a 10-mile radius to and from their scheduled appointments.

The Southside Filling Station opened in 2024.
The pantry served 494 families in August 2026.
Operating hours are Wednesdays from 9-11 a.m.
Operating hours are Thursdays from 3:30-7:30 p.m.

Health Landscape

The Southside Filling Station represents a targeted intervention in Hi-Crest, an area officially recognized as a food desert. This approach reflects a growing model of community-based support that integrates nutrition access with transit services to address structural health barriers.

Residents in the Hi-Crest area who struggle with food access can utilize the Southside Filling Station without providing proof of income. If you need assistance, it is worth confirming your residence within the 10-mile transit radius to coordinate your transport to and from the pantry.

The takeaway

Maintaining consistent access to healthy foods like fresh produce and protein is critical for managing overall health. If you are experiencing food insecurity, contact local community resources like the Southside Filling Station to discuss eligibility for available food and transportation services.