Is Plumb Place closing? Administrators say that’s an unfortunate possibility — soon, as a matter of fact — and they are asking area residents to donate and keep the facility open.
Secretary and Treasurer Ian Boyd says the agency is working to resolve a budget shortfall that “threatens the organization’s overall financial health and ultimately its existence.” Boyd says Plumb Place has cleared its back taxes and several past due bills, thanks in part to previous donations, but it still owes $30,000 and faces another $15,000 more in payroll and other expenses for the last two months of the year.
The trigger point came this past summer after the Kansas Housing Resource Corporation told city of Emporia leadership Plumb Place’s application for an Emergency Solutions grant would not be funded because of “unresolved corrective action or findings” relating to an unspecified prior year.
That action by the KHRC followed the discovery of over $50,000 in missing funds from January 2014 to April 2017. It also followed the United Way’s decision earlier this year not to fund the agency in light of ongoing concerns about accountability, transparency and training after Emporia Police announced an investigation in August 2018 that is still ongoing.
Director Mary Richardson says she has been reaching out to local and area businesses as well as churches. She says Plumb Place fills a vital niche locally for women in crisis situations through emergency shelter, life skills and case management.
Richardson says women using the shelter find Emporia more welcoming than larger cities in Kansas.
If Plumb Place can get through the end of the year, Boyd says HUD funding is already secured for next year. He also says Plumb Place has applied for a Solutions grant as an alternate to the Emergency Solutions grant. Word on that will come in November and would provide rapid funding, perhaps as soon as December, if it’s approved.
If it can’t — and a decision may be coming at the next board meeting Nov. 19 — Plumb Place may have to dissolve. Richardson has been directed to craft a dissolution plan if that step is needed.
Boyd says the Plumb Place Board of Directors is completely new this year after many prior board members resigned or had their terms end. It’s also smaller with six members currently instead of seven, but the goal is still to increase the board size if possible. Also, local attorney Bob Symmonds is helping Plumb Place on a pro bono basis through the end of the year.
Boyd says the current board is working “in a responsible and prudent manner” to ensure Plumb Place’s governance and ongoing mission are in accordance with the agency’s goals and objectives.
Plumb Place has been helping women in some capacity since 1921.
For more information, call Plumb Place at 342-1613 or go online to www.plumbplace.org. You can also donate through PayPal to director@plumbplace.org.
