By Raylene Quaney

There was a great response to the countywide food drive through Harvesters held July 15-22. This was the first time a summer collection program was held, with 2,083.5 pounds of canned food donated to the Osage County food pantry at Help House.

We would like to thank the following for working to make the program such a success: Countryside Baptist, Osage City, Cowboy Church, Scranton, Crossroads Church, Scranton, Grace Community Church, Overbrook, Jerry’s Thriftway, Osage City, Lyndon United Methodist Church, Lyndon, Melvern United Methodist Church, Melvern, Michigan Valley Community Church, Michigan Valley, Michigan Valley United Methodist Church, Michigan Valley, Overbrook United Methodist Church, Overbrook, Quenemo United Methodist Church, Quenemo, Salt Creek Lighthouse, Lyndon, True Grace, Melvern, Vassar United Methodist Church, Vassar, Zion Lutheran, Vassar.

Fan club members recognized as cool donors

The Summer Fan Club distributed 35 fans to those who had preregistered to receive one. Thank you to everyone who donated. They were very much appreciated.

School supplies distributed

School supplies were given out to 108 children that had not received supplies from another agency. We would like to thank ECKAN (East Central Kansas Economic Opportunity Corporation) for passing along to Help House the supplies they did not use. Thank you also to Grace Community Church for their donation for the children as well.

Computer classes still offered

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 and 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. Call Paul Schmidt at 602-238-4793 or 785-793-2149, for more information or to register. Classes will be available 7-8:30 p.m. Thursdays or 9-10 a.m. Saturdays. The second sessions will generally be held the following week at the same time. If you sign up and find you are unable to attend, please call so we can fill your spot from a waiting list.

Learn to use good sense with budgeting

The next “Good Sense Budget Course” will be held 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. This is just a one-day course. Once the class has been completed the class participants will be eligible to apply for assistance to help with heating or cooling cost. Assistance is provided on limited bases for any heating source, whether it is gas, electric, propane or wood. During summer months assistance may be provided for electric utility bills for the additional cost of cooling your home. You must come into Help House to preregister and pick up your information packet, which includes pre-course work to be completed before the first class. For more information, call 785-828-4888. Participants are asked to bring a drink and sack lunch with them.

Coat giveaway

Help House is now actively collecting coats for the coat giveaway that will be held in October.  Please only bring in coats that are clean, and in good condition. We always need infants’ and all children’s sizes, and men’s and women’s in large and extra large sizes. No long trench style coats, please.

Hurricane relief

Anyone who would like to donate to the disaster relief fund for either Hurricane Harvey or Hurricane Irma, donations may be mailed with a note in the memo designating recipients to Salvation Army, sent in care of Help House, PO Box 356, Lyndon, KS 66451. The Salvation Army has sent 42 mobile kitchens and two field kitchens from Oklahoma and Arkansas to the Gulf Coast. Additional assistance will be sent to Florida. Harvesters is also providing emergency assistance to the devastated areas in Texas and Florida. Donations to aid with their assistance may be made at www.feedingamerica.org.

Helped

The number of households receiving emergency food in August was 233.

Mobile pantry

Mobile pantry schedule: Sept. 15, Lyndon; Sept. 21, Melvern.

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.