The Abundant Harvest operations agreement between the United Way of the Flint Hills and city of Emporia comes with $25,000 in available funds from the city. It also comes as finances from the Emporia Rescue Mission, Abundant Harvest’s parent entity, have been under scrutiny since the Rescue Mission board announced initial plans in August to have Abundant Harvest end all its operations by next week — but there does not appear to be any financial concerns needing a forensic audit at this time.
The way it appears, according to City Manager Trey Cocking, is the Rescue Mission board’s decision reflects a goal of divesting its Abundant Harvest responsibilities while focusing on the men’s shelter near 12th and Burlingame.
The United Way and city finalized an agreement with the Rescue Mission board on Wednesday, where the city will offer operational money through New Year’s Eve. Cocking says that is strictly for Abundant Harvest operations — and the agreement helps to keep a crisis program in place at least through the holidays.
The United Way, meanwhile, will handle all operations through the rest of the calendar year, including bill payments and staffing. The goal is to turn over Abundant Harvest operation to a different entity or combination of entities. Conversations are underway through the Lyon County Food and Farm Council, including discussions with the Salvation Army, ECKAN, John and Frances Ice Food Pantry and other locations.
A balance sheet provided to KVOE News as of July 31 indicates over $240,000 in bank accounts, with over $228,000 of that total in investments through Edward Jones. Fixed assets, including the Rescue Mission building at 1236 East 12th and Abundant Harvest at 1023 Whittier, total close to $500,000. Liabilities and equity total at just under $740,000. Revenues from New Year’s Day through July 31 were around $85,000, the vast majority of which — around $50,000 — comes from outside contributions. Donations from foundations and the Loretto Langley Charitable Trust add another $28,000. Expenses for the reporting period have totaled over $111,000, with over $40,000 in personnel salaries in benefits, another $1,100 in administrative costs, over $17,000 in repairs and maintenance, nearly $20,000 in utilities, nearly $27,000 for vehicle operations and around $4,500 in combined food and supplies for the mission and Abundant Harvest — setting up a year-to-date net deficit approaching $27,000.
A year-to-date comparison to 2024 indicates similar income and outgo in most cases, aside from a $10,000 increase in equipment costs this year, as well as a $1,000 increase in supplies and a $15,000 increase in vehicle repairs. 2024 year-to-date had a deficit of around $625 as opposed to nearly $27,000 so far this year.
Prior director Lee Alderman has told KVOE News the Rescue Mission had about $250,000 stored in bank accounts and Edward Jones investments, but he has also said two large-scale donors had withdrawn their support over the last year, taking up to $60,000 out of the pot.
Financial data posted online at ProPublica dates goes from 2011-2023, with revenues over $110,000 lower than expenses two years ago. Revenues were about $73,000 above expenses in 2022. Revenues topped expenses by almost $470,000 in 2021, mainly due to federal COVID-based funding, and were about $123,000 above expenses in 2020. Aside from 2013, when expenses surpassed revenues by over $14,000, revenues have been ahead of expenses through 2023.
KVOE News had been getting information and perspective from Rescue Mission Board Chair Peter Deblonk for several weeks immediately after the board’s decision to end Abundant Harvest operations and let go all paid staff, but there have been no responses the last two weeks despite repeated requests as the situation has continued to develop.
