Leaders of the United Way of the Flint Hills were hoping for a good turnout at the Pathways to Hope: Community Resource Fair on Saturday. And that’s what they got.
Better than 200 people, not including children, went to the Salvation Army to get supplies and information about different community resources. Current Director Daphne Mertens says it was a pleasant surprise to see the number of people that attended.
In fact, Mertens says 90 percent of the items brought to the resource fair went out the door. There was also a line of people waiting for free haircuts, another feature of the event.
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Mertens says a $25,000 grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce Rural Champions program set the stage for the resource fair — not only with the money, but by letting participating groups determine how to address they needs they see. The United Way chose homelessness, with ongoing input from Emporia’s Homelessness Advisory Board.
Besides the free lunch and free haircuts, people could pick up free backpacks, hats and toiletry kits. The could also get help with identification cards, job searches, housing and healthcare.
Mertens says this leads into a special locker project.
Homelessness may not seem like an urgent problem in Emporia, but Mertens says it’s a definite concern. She says it’s largely invisible unless you’re looking for it — or living it.
The United Way is also getting ready for its annual Campaign Celebration, which will be May 14 at the Fairgrounds Bowyer Building. Residents wanting to attend can call the office at 620-342-7564 or go online to unitedwayoftheflinthills.org.
