Our Story
Heartland Free Grocery and Kitchen was inspired by our mother and grandmother, Rosie Lee Bryson—a child of the Great Depression who grew up on her father’s farm in Oklahoma, harvesting crops and preserving food with her mother and eight siblings.
Rosie Lee was an extremely generous woman, known for cooking large, celebratory meals for her family, and adopting neighborhood children in need of a meal or a mother figure. Always keeping a pantry and deep freezer full of food from her garden, local pantries, and churches, she would tell friends and family: “We’ll never go hungry!” as they ate or shopped from her home when in need.
Upon her death in 2024, Mary was searching for ways to keep her magnanimous legacy alive. As an ordained Minister, Mary spent her free time offering food, clothes, and money to unsheltered locals but wanted to find a more expansive way to combat hunger with dignity.
Value Statement
We believe that food access is a universal basic human right and that no person should ever go hungry regardless of economic status. In addition to providing food we believe that the shopping and dining experience should be one that does not take away one’s dignity and self respect. The Heartland Free Grocery and Kitchen is intentional about collaborating with other organizations to create space for a holistic wellness experience for Kansas City residents experiencing income instability. Heartland Free Grocery and Kitchen is a compassionate, inclusive space where all members of our community can access nutritious food and goods, education, and health and wellness services with dignity while building connections and promoting self sufficiency.
See Hope in Action
Meet our Team
Meet our Team
Mary Collins, MSOD
Founder + Executive Director
Mary Collins is one of Kansas City’s foremost female barbers, recently celebrating 20 years of entrepreneurship. With a background in both ministry and community service work, Mary brings a unique blend of skills and a people-oriented commitment to organizational administration.
Mary’s leadership is driven by her belief that food access is a basic, universal human right and community-based, collaborative solutions are necessary to eliminate food scarcity.
Reneé Mangum
Director of Marketing
Reneé Mangum is a branding strategist, entrepreneur, and community advocate dedicated to helping businesses, athletes, and influencers build strong, profitable brands. With expertise in branding, marketing, social media management, and public relations, she has helped countless entrepreneurs scale to six and seven figures through authentic branding and intentional strategy. As a dedicated board member of Heartland Free Grocery and Kitchen, Reneé continues her mission to uplift communities by promoting economic empowerment, sustainability, and generational wealth-building opportunities.
Ernest Collins
President
Ernest L. Collins is a retired television production and arts and entertainment Executive Director. Ernest enjoyed a long career in these related fields that included stints at Cox Communications in New Orleans as Executive Producer of Cox channel 10 for 20 years, 8 years with the City of New Orleans as Executive Director Arts & entertainment overseeing the offices of film, music, and tourism, various telecommunications sales positions with digital Yellow Pages and Southwestern Bell. Currently, Ernest is a partner in Alpha Omega Contracting along with his brother Lee who is founder and majority owner of Alpha Omega.
Ernest is excited about the opportunity to apply his talents and abilities in assisting the development and operation of Heartland Free Grocery.
Dawn Collins
Secretary
Dawn M. Collins is a retired educator with over three decades experience in the field of early childhood education. Dawn is a wife, mother and grandmother and is most excited and engaged while pursuing her many charitable endeavors or simply providing the energy and care for her immediate and extended family.
Dawn is pleased to assist worthy charitable endeavors like that of the proposed Grocery Distribution Store envisioned by Mary Collins and her son Hasan. Utilizing her skills and talent serving on boards doing the work of feeding the needy is exactly how Dawn would like to spend her time
Ishmail Wainright
Vice President
Ishmail Wainright is a professional basketball player, philanthropist, and community leader known for his versatility on the court and his dedication to making a difference off of it. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Wainright played college basketball at Baylor University, where he built a reputation as a defensive powerhouse and team leader. After playing internationally, he earned a spot in the NBA, contributing as a hardworking forward for the Phoenix Suns.
Wainright is also an active supporter of organizations that promote youth development and special needs inclusion, including Treasure House, a community for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through his work on and off the court, he continues to inspire and uplift those around him, making a lasting impact in the communities he serves.