A drive-thru food drive served as the opening act for the United Way of the Flint Hills’ fundraising campaign.
Residents brought nonperishable food to the Lyon County Fairgrounds to benefit the Salvation Army of Emporia food pantry, Morris County Care & Share and Osage County Help House. Those agencies then hauled off their collections — just over a ton combined — almost as soon as the drive ended.
Salvation Army Maj. Deb Thompson says this comes at a time of increased need for many Lyon County residents.
Help House Director Pam Bilyeu was grateful for the event and the support from the United Way.
Morris County Care & Share chair Judeen Bachura says the timing was right, given the start of school Sept. 1.
Drive co-chair Kristy Bayer was ready to start the fundraising campaign.
The food drive developed as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but Director Mickey Edwards says it also highlighted what the United Way and its partner agencies are all about. Edwards has already said there will be an emphasis on virtual fundraising this year, but there will be several events through the rest of the year and Edwards says there will be a number of other avenues for donations.
Edwards also expects residents in the United Way’s eight-county coverage area — Lyon, Chase, Coffey, Greenwood, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee counties — will step up and fully support the drive as they have in years past.
For more information about the drive, the United Way and its community partner agencies, call 342-7564 or go online to www.unitedwayoftheflinthills.org.
