Meritrust Credit Union pledges $375,000 to Wichita’s Second Light

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Meritrust Credit Union announced a commitment of $375,000 to Second Light on Wednesday.

This donation will be disbursed over three years to support the nonprofit’s mission of combating homelessness in Wichita.

“Meritrust was founded in Wichita nearly a century ago on the belief that people are stronger when they support one another,” James Nastars, Meritrust CEO, said in a news release. “Second Light reflects that same belief. This commitment is about more than a building — it’s about giving our neighbors a real path toward stability, dignity and a fresh start.”

In June, Second Light announced a transformative investment grant of $1 million. If the shelter can raise $1 million, the United Way of the Plains will match that amount, distributing it over three years.

The challenge grant aims to support shelter operations while the nonprofit works to establish sustainable funding, hire new staff, and bring in shared resources.

Steve Dixton, board chair of Second Light, emphasized that fighting against homelessness requires a collective effort from the community.

“A commitment like this from a hometown institution like Meritrust does more than fund our work — it signals to the entire community that ending homelessness is a shared responsibility,” Dixon said in a news release.