SOS has families in need
By Bobbi Mlynar
Originally published 12:33 p.m., November 27, 2007
Updated 12:33 p.m., November 27, 2007
Gifts and food — as well as volunteers to help receive the items — are being sought by SOS this season for families caught in an unexpected financial crunch at the holidays.
“They are families that aren’t receiving duplicate services,” said Lori Moore, community relations director for SOS. “So either they didn’t realize they needed help from the Salvation Army, or today they don’t even know they are going to need help at the holidays.”
The situation is not unusual; it’s something SOS deals with every year, because parents often cannot forecast that a crisis will precipitate a family break-up during the Christmas season. The breakup frequently leaves a single parent and children without money to buy food for a traditional meal or gifts.
SOS will poll its clients to make lists of specific wishes and needs, and will provide family lists to anyone who wants to help.
Donors will be able to choose what size or type of family they want to adopt, or they may donate one or more items to help fill out a list made for a family, Moore said.
Participants may shop for the gifts and drop them off, unwrapped, at Flint Hills Music, 714 Commercial St., which has donated space to SOS. Mothers will help wrap the gifts for the children.
“That way, she has more of a part in Christmas for the kids,” Moore said.
“If there’s people who want to help but don’t want to shop ... they can make a monetary donation. Then any families we get late, we can shop out of that holiday fund.”
Volunteers also are needed to accept the gifts and assist at the music store work space.
“We need volunteers who can sit at the work space for one- or two-hour shifts,” Moore said.
She estimated that, based on previous years, about 30 families will need help this year.
“We have lots more families we’re working with,” she said. “These (the 30 families) are people who aren’t going to get services other places.”
Amy King, volunteer coordinator, said that gift cards for restaurant meals, movie rentals, and other items and activities always are popular and help save storage space at the holiday. While SOS will accept gifts of food, grocery gift cards are good, too, because it helps families hold to their traditions. One family may always eat turkey, while another always counts on having ham, she said as an example.
“It adds a little more empowerment when they can pick out their own dinners and such,” King said.
The adults setting up new households for the family could use kitchen appliances, including coffee makers and other items.
People who want to donate items for the holiday project may call 343-8799. Staff members have been given information about the holiday drive for gifts and funds.
Those who want to volunteer to help at the work space or become involved in other SOS projects may call Amy King, 342-1870.
“One thing that they can do year-round is volunteer,” King said. “We always need someone to work with adults and with children.”
In addition to Emporia and Lyon County, SOS serves families in crisis in Greenwood, Osage, Morris, Coffey, and Chase counties.
SOS provides crisis services, abuse-prevention services, a Child Advocacy Center, a visitation and exchange bureau, and Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).
“Our umbrella just keeps getting bigger and bigger and bigger,” she said.