Paperwork has been submitted as the city of Emporia and United Way of the Flint Hills determine how best to help the Emporia Rescue Mission continue operating Abundant Harvest through the end of the year.
Budgetary paperwork was submitted Monday as requested by the city and is now under review. Additional details about the paperwork and responses by the city and United Way will be announced later this week.
Finances for the food kitchen are a focal point because Rescue Mission Board President Peter Deblonk cited financial struggles, notably with personnel but also with food delivery and building maintenance, were reasons the board initially decided to close Abundant Harvest effective Oct. 1. On the personnel front, the Rescue Mission Board let go all paid staff, including director Josh Graves, who says he had concerns about unspecified financial issues prior to being let go. In denying Graves’ claims, Deblonk says he had several conversations with Graves about finances since Graves was appointed early this year and Graves “didn’t seem to grasp what he was doing on spending.”
The city and United Way pledged support to keep Abundant Harvest operating through Dec. 31 but are using the financial information to determine their amount and methods of support. The extension in operations also gives time for a new partner to step forward and take over Abundant Harvest’s community role, whether as is or with different services.
