24 hours after the Emporia Rescue Mission announced the end of Abundant Harvest, there appears to be hope that the community food kitchen could continue operations.
In a news release sent out late Saturday afternoon, United Way of the Flint Hills Executive Director Daphne Mertens revealed her organization had met with City of Emporia officials as well as staff and board members of the Emporia Rescue Mission to “begin working towards a solution” that could see the doors of Abundant Harvest stay open. In the release Mertens stated “We are committed to finding a workable path forward to ensure that families in need continue to have access to food and support.”
City Manager Trey Cocking also declared the city’s dedication to this goal stressing the important role Abundant Harvest plays in the community saying, “No one in our community should go hungry, and we are prepared to work together to find solutions.”
Cocking and Mertens declined additional comment at this time noting there is little additional information to share as conversations are in the very early stages, however, they will communicate any and all updates as they develop. Additional discussions are expected to take place after the Labor Day holiday.
As KVOE News reported Friday, the Emporia Rescue Mission board announced its plans to close Abundant Harvest either on October 1 or once the current supplies were exhausted citing a decline in finances as the main causation. The announcement was followed by sharp accusations from now former Emporia Rescue Mission Director Josh Graves who, stated to KVOE News that he had not been made aware of this decision until it was announced and that the board had hidden certain financial items from him and others for at least eight months.
Board President Peter Deblonk denied those claims and stated Graves had been informed, even claiming he had agreed it was the right decision. We have more details on that situation available here.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for additional updates as they become available.
