After a week’s worth of bidding, the annual KVOE Live Morning Drive Radio Auction benefiting the United Way of the Flint Hills managed to bring in an additional $3,035 to the United Way’s annual campaign.
The week-long live auction event featured a daily set of auction items made possible through generous donations from local businesses and individuals, with all proceeds going to benefit the annual campaign, which provides essential support to numerous community partners and programs within the local area. The auction came as the United Way has been putting a larger emphasis on “more direct services,” according to Director Daphne Mertens.
Mertens says the agency was presented with a perfect opportunity to take this initiative late last year when the government shutdown led to a pause in SNAP benefits.
Mertens says the need for food remains prevalent across the area, as evident by the pace with which donations at local blessing boxes are flying off the shelf.
While the need is concerning, Mertens says one bright spot has been the local community’s action to help address it, namely, a large number of volunteers stepping up to assist with operations at the Abundant Grace food kitchen.
Mertens added that food is not the only significant issue locally, noting that the need is rising “across the board,” with rent and utility assistance rivaling food concerns as of late.
At last word, the United Way was quickly approaching its 2026 fundraising goal of $500,000 with plenty of time still available for residents to get involved. If you would like to contribute to the campaign, you can find more information on how to do so at UnitedWayoftheFlintHills.org.
