Summer heat is here, help someone stay cool

By Raylene Quaney

There has been more than 30 households sign up to receive fans, however donations have been down this summer and we have only been able to give out 22 to date. There is a lot of hot weather left during July and August, so if you can donate either a new fan or make cash donations to purchase a fan for someone, please mail your donation to Help House, PO Box 356, Lyndon KS 66451; please note “Fan Club” in memo.

United Way donations can help locally

Jamie Reever, with United Way, attended the Help House board meeting on July 11. Last year’s United Way campaign raised $582,000. They will begin this year’s campaign in two weeks. The United Way of the Flint Hills serves eight counties. Help House is blessed to be a recipient of United Way funds that can be used to purchase food for the food pantry as well as other emergency services.

Did you know that if you work in Shawnee County and contribute to the United Way through your employer that you may mark on your contribution slip that you want the contribution to go to Help House in Osage County? It will then process through the United Way of the Flint Hills and back to Help House. The employer matching funds will remain in Shawnee County, but your part will come back to Osage County to help out locally.

Fill the barrel, summer food drive

A countywide food drive through Harvester’s is being held July 15-July 22. Look for the large blue barrels at each of the three Thriftway grocery stores, in Carbondale, Overbrook and Osage City, during the week. While you are shopping if you could pick up just one or two non-perishable food items and drop them in the barrel on your way out, your neighbor in need would be most grateful. All donations will go to the Help House food pantry.

Computer classes available

Absolutely basic computer: Want to learn basic computer skills?  This is for the individual who does not know how to operate a computer. Or skills for employment? This course will provide hands-on and immediate assistance with job search and applications. Included in this course would be assistance with using a computer to find job opportunities as well as writing a resume.

Classes are free of charge and open to the public but will be limited to four individuals per session and will be held in two 90 minute sessions. For more information, call Paul Schmidt at 602-238-4793 or 785-793-2149. Classes will be available 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday evenings OR 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday mornings.  The second sessions will generally be held the following week at the same time. If you sign up and find you will be unable to attend, please call so we can fill your spot from a waiting list.

Fair auctions silently raise funds for pantry

The silent auctions that are held during the Melvern Sunflower Days 4-H Fair and the Overbrook Osage County Fair are the two major fundraisers of the year for Help House. The Melvern Sunflower Days auction brought in just over $1,000.  If you missed it, you have another opportunity to pick up some great auction items at the Overbrook Fair on Aug. 12. The auction begins at 4 p.m. and runs until 8 p.m. Look for us in the large open 4-H pavilion building.

Funds raised go to purchase food for the pantry. The monthly budget for the pantry is $2,650. So funds from the two fundraisers basically fund one month of the budget.

School supplies needed

Help House is also collecting school supplies. They will be distributed the week of Aug. 8 to Aug. 12 for those who did not receive assistance through ECKAN.

Helped

The number of households receiving emergency food in May was 202, and in June is was 200. These households include around 200 children and 330 adults, and of those 56 are elderly and approximately 130 are disabled.

Help House is open on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, and is located at 131 W. 15th St., Lyndon. For more information, contact Help House at 785-828-4888 or osagecountyhh@gmail.com.