Both the Salvation Army of Emporia and Emporia High’s Spartan Stop will benefit from your donations to the KVOE Drive for Food.
KVOE is solicitng addresses for the drive as we speak. On KVOE’s Newsmaker segment Tuesday, Salvation Army Lt. Mylie Hadden said her agency’s food pantry has several immediate needs, including jelly, baking items, instant rice or potatoes and coffee Canned meals like soups or Spaghetti-O’s and easy-open or quick-cook meals are also needed along with canned fruits or shelf-stable milk. Personal hygiene and cleaning products are also wanted.
Hadden says she wants to make life easier for people needing help.
The Salvation Army is currently operating as a “choice pantry,” so people needing food can select the items they want. Hadden says the food pantry has doubled its food distribution over the past few weeks, especially recently with a new emergency assistance case manager on hand and an influx of volunteers.
Meanwhile, Spartan Stop has several needs as well as it offers help to Emporia High students through the school, year. Director Heather Wagner says ramen noodles, pasta sauces, cereal, granola bars, peanut butter and jelly, snacks, rice, boxed dinners and applesauce are all needs at this time.
The KVOE Drive for Food is Oct. 14. Before that, you’re encouraged to call KVOE at 620-342-1400 or email kvoe@kvoe.com with your address if you’re in the Emporia city limits and then leave your donation on your doorstep. KVOE staffers and volunteers will then collect your items on the day of the drive.
As has been the case for years, numerous partners are already involved, including Thomas Transfer and Boy Scout Troop 157. Several businesses and other entities are also drop-off points for the drive, including Newman Regional Health, ESB Financial, Designs by Sharon, Bluestem Farm and Ranch Supply, Country Mart, Good’s Cash Saver and ValuNet FIBER. Many local schools are also involved, and the recent drive through the Kansas State High School and Junior High Rodeo has already contributed several hundred items to the cause.
