Nearly nine months ago, Olathe-based nonprofit Starfish Project moved into a new space, allowing it to grow its service base. This growth, however, is now the reason the nonprofit is being forced to move again.
The Starfish Project, which provides clothes, food, toiletries and more to thousands of clients each month, has until May 2 to vacate its current building at the northeast corner of Kansas Highway 7 and Santa Fe Street.
“Since we moved over here, we’re now in the middle of the Title I schools, we’re on the bus route — we’re really accessible,” said President and Co-Founder Joni Moreland, referring to schools that generally serve students with higher socioeconomic needs.
“Our numbers are just skyrocketing. We’re seeing between 700 to 800 people a day, and some days over 1,000,” she said.
At its last location at 134 S. Clairborne Road, also in Olathe, the Starfish Project served between 1,200 and 1,400 people per week. Now, it has 90 days to vacate its current premises, which neighbors several restaurants, a gas station and other businesses.
“That [growth] is also causing all kinds of extra traffic here,” she added. “It’s causing parking lot issues. We’re being very disruptive to the neighbors. So, they’ve (property owners) just given us a 90-day notice to relocate.”
The nonprofit moved to the location off of K-7 last May, after eight years at 134 S. Clairborne Road. The city of Olathe acquired the Clairborne site as part of a broader $200 million plan to build a new interchange at Interstate 35 and Santa Fe Street.
Emily, a Starfish patron who did not wish to give her last name, said she hopes the nonprofit is able to find a space that allows for its continued growth. Her family has utilized Starfish’s services before last year’s move, often picking up food, clothes, essential hygiene items and even using their haircut services.
“We just really love the Starfish Project,” Emily said. “I think it’s a great resource for Olathe.”
What happens next
Moreland said she’s hoping to find a location with at least 10,000 square feet, a dock or two and plenty of parking. If possible, she’d like to stay in Olathe.
Moreland put out a call for help online, seeking a “partnership opportunity.” She’d like to move as soon as possible, but said it’s important for her to be particular about Starfish’s next site.
“It’s really making sure that we go into a place and we go once, versus having to move again,” Moreland said. “For example, we looked at a building that was 10,000 square feet, but it was truly a warehouse. It had docks at both ends. We’re trying to meet standards for a dignified shopping experience, and [that building] didn’t have that.”
Another location met all the needs but only had eight parking spots — not even enough for all the volunteers, Moreland said.
If the Starfish Project is unable to find a location before May 2, then it will have to cut services.
“I dread even thinking about this,” Moreland said. “We would have to go backwards.”
Volunteer Kelly Patterson, a foster parent, started as a patron. The Starfish Project provided Patterson with not only clothes and services, but also friendship and community. Losing the nonprofit space would be upsetting, she said.
“It’s been such a great place,” Patterson said. “Watching the customers that come in, we’ve really started building relationships. They see me, and they’re like, ‘Oh, how’s your day?’ ‘How’s your grandkids?’
“To even think that this could be gone — it’s really nerve-wracking,” she added.
One of Starfish Project’s key goals is resource preservation, like collecting food and other items that would normally be thrown out, then redistributing them to Starfish patrons.
Moreland said she’s also worried about where those resources, such as food donations, would go if she’s unable to secure a new location for the nonprofit.
“Are we even going to be able to pick up all this stuff? Or is it just going to start hitting the landfills again?” Moreland asked. “Perfectly good items will start going back to the landfills.”
About Starfish Project
After 18 years working in the corporate world, Moreland wanted a change. Moreland, who grew up in Olathe, knew the community had a gap in resources. She wanted to fill it.
So, in 2014, she co-founded the Starfish Project alongside her husband, Thomas. It’s a family affair. Their daughter comes in with her children, Moreland’s grandchildren, to help. Moreland’s mother, who died two years ago this month, also volunteered there.
“When my mom was alive, it was four generations serving the community alongside each other. Now, it’s three,” Moreland said. “We feel that everybody has a place, all ages and abilities. Family is really important, community is really important to us.”
The Starfish Project provides clothes, food, hygiene products and more, free of cost, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
It’s also open from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. the second Saturday of every month, providing lunch, haircuts and health screenings.
Additionally, the nonprofit:
- connects people and partners with local organizations,
- serves as a social work practicum site for the University of Kansas, Washburn University and the University of Phoenix,
- offers a course on nonprofit finance and grants,
- and acts as an incubator for other, smaller nonprofits in the area, connecting them with administrative, accounting and legal support.
“It (the Starfish Project) means everything,” Patterson, the volunteer and former patron, said. “I am so grateful it is here in so many ways. It helps me socialize. It helps us with food and clothing and things other places ask for the amount of money you make, and here, they’re just like, ‘Come in, you’re family.’”
