Good news in uncertain times for a lot of people Thursday:
Salvation Army Capt. Mylie Hadden and KVOE General Manager Ron Thomas made that announcement as shelves were stocked during and after KVOE’s annual Drive for Food, thanks to another heartwarming effort by KVOE listeners. Over 28,000 items were donated. Hadden says this is a win for the community.
Typically, the food pantry can remain full through the holidays before supplies begin to shrink. However, food pantries are expecting a significant increase in demand — soon — as the federal government shutdown continues with no end in sight. Indefinite pauses in SNAP and WIC benefits are expected to begin this weekend. Hadden says the drive comes at a good time just for that reason — but also because of recent demand.
Thomas says the effort was big across the board.
Thomas was also glad to have donations fill Emporia High’s Spartan Stop.
The pickup part of the drive also had help from a number of volunteers, as well as Thomas Transfer and Boy Scout Troop 157. Drop-off locations were also set up at Bluestem Farm and Ranch, Coldwell Banker, Country Mart, ESB Financial, Good’s Cash Saver, LCAT and Newman Regional Health.
Click here for KVOE’s YouTube channel, including video from the KVOE Drive or Food.
1 pm Thursday: Drive for Food nets almost 28,000 food items
There was a sense of relief at the Salvation Army of Emporia food pantry Thursday after KVOE’s Drive for Food shifted from collection to sorting.
Reason being: the overall drive gained an initial total above 27,500 items, leading Capt. Mylie Hadden to say the pantry is packed.
Also packed is Emporia High’s Spartan Stop, another beneficiary of the annual drive.
KVOE General Manager Ron Thomas says the drive had more pick-up addresses than ever, coinciding with hefty amounts at the drive’s drop-off points. Several schools and businesses also held their own drives to help the overall effort.
The drive typically takes place in mid-October, but a scheduling change for USD 253 parent-teacher conferences delayed the drive two weeks. The timing turned out well because the federal government shutdown continues, threatening to indefinitely halt SNAP and WIC benefits as soon as this weekend.
Photos by KVOE staff and Salvation Army Capt. Mylie Hadden
