The Rime Center currently offers four outreach programs that benefit both the local and global communities.

Prison Outreach Program The Rime Center has an active Prison Outreach program. We currently have Buddhist inmate groups at three area prisons (state and military prisons). Volunteers are always needed to assist in the teaching of the Dharma to the prison sangha. All volunteers are required to submit an application and agree to a background check by the various departments of corrections. Once approved, volunteers must attend a training program.

Buddha Bag Project For The Homeless Backpacks filled with toiletries and food have been handed out to the homeless by Rime Volunteers. The program started over a year ago after Lama Chuck heard about a similar one at the Inside Dharma/Shinzo Zen Center in St. Louis. Rime members are encouraged to bring toilet articles, backpacks and food, or donate money for their purchase, which are then placed in backpacks and handed out on street comers. We need volunteers to help pack backpacks, hand them out and donate items or money to fill them. Cash donations will be used to purchase additional items and backpacks. Bring item for use in the backpacks to the Rime Center or mail your cash donation.

Community Outreach Our community outreach coordinators, Rich Hubbard (rich.hub(at)gmail.com) and Bob McEachen (bmceachen(at)everestkc.net) schedule opportunities for Rime members to volunteer in various ways to aid our community. Past activities have included: volunteering for: a soup kitchen, a thrift store, habitat for humanity and a blood drive.

Finding Sponsors for Tibetan Refugees The Rime Center finds American sponsors for needy Tibetan refugees. Every day Tibetans risk their lives by walking across the Himalayas simply for religious freedom. Refugees who make it to India or Nepal have few if any job skills and they live in abject poverty. You can help for as little as $30 per month. This small amount can allow a Tibetan refugee to have a roof over his/her head, food to eat and even an education. Please consider sponsoring a refugee - you can literally save a life and you will have a friend for this lifetime (or many lifetimes!).