By Raylene Quaney
Help House is beginning the year with the fourth annual Souper Bowl Soup-a-thon. We’re inviting all area churches, scout troops, school and civic organizations to participate this time. All you have to do is collect cans of soup and boxes of crackers from now until Feb. 2, 2020. The group with the most items donated will win the traveling trophy for either first, second or third place, along with bragging rights until next year. Start collecting soup now and then bring into Help House 4-7 p.m. Monday evening Feb. 3 or on Tuesday, Feb. 4. As soon as all items are counted, the winner will be announced and trophy awarded. Let the games begin!
Need increases
Last year we continued to see the number of households in need in Osage County increase. Those household numbers served by zip code in 2019: 66413, 67; 66414, 71; 66451, 71; 66510, 58; 66523, 190; 66524, 32; 66528, 62; 66537, 28; 66543, 27; 66856, 5.
Giving the gift of happiness
Over the holidays, there were 82 Thanksgiving dinners given out. The Christmas store saw 20 children shopping for 16 adults. There were 60 parents or caregivers shopping for 190 children and 97 adults. The grandparents had an opportunity to shop for the grandchildren in their lives with 64 shoppers looking for just the right gift for 206 children. We would like to thank all the businesses, churches, organizations and individuals that donated to the Christmas Store so that the children, parents, grandparents and guardians could have a wide selection of gifts to help make their Christmas special. A special thank you to Mrs. Claus for visiting with the children during their special shopping day while Santa’s elves helped them shop and more elves wrapped their gifts for them to take home and put under the tree.
Bell ringers
We would like to thank the business that allowed us to place the Red Kettles during the Christmas season. The Salvation Army Kettle collection for 2019 totaled $5,705.61. The bell ringers add so much to the meaning and purpose of why we do this. Eighty-six percent of every dollar given comes back to Osage County to help with various emergency needs. Help House is the local designated distributer of Salvation Army funds.
Welcome specialty food grant
Help House has been awarded a $4,800 grant from the Topeka Community Foundation to purchase specialty foods for the pantry. These items will be low or no sodium, sugar free, or gluten free type food products for those receiving assistance that have specific health concerns.
ECF grant to fund accessibility features at Help House
A second grant has been awarded by the Emporia Community Foundation to replace our front door and install a new automatic handicap accessible door. This will be much appreciated by those using wheel chairs, walkers and other aids. We are so grateful to one of our volunteers for working to obtain these funds so that we can better serve those who need our help.
Budget class planned
The next Good Sense Budget Class will be held 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday Feb. 10, at Help House. It will be a one-day class. Participants must call to register and stop by to pick up pre-course work. Participants are to bring a snack for lunch if desired and a beverage. The class is free and once completed the participant is eligible to receive assistance with heating or cooling bills. This includes electric, gas, propane, or solid fuel such as wood. By participating one time you are eligible to receive assistance the following year, too.
Osage County food pantries
Mobile food pantry dates: Carbondale, 12 p.m. second Tuesday, Feb. 11, Carbondale Church of Christian Fellowship; Osage City, 10 a.m. third Thursday, Feb. 20, at Osage City Community Building; Melvern, third Thursday, Feb. 20; Burlingame, 10 a.m. third Thursday, Feb. 20, at Burlingame Federated Church; Lyndon 12 p.m. third Friday, Feb. 21, at Jones Park on East Sixth Street.
For more information about Help House’s services, email osagecountyhh@gmail.com, call 785-828-4888, stop by 131 W. 15th St., Lyndon, Kan., or like Osage County Help House on Facebook.
