This edition of Salina Sees You, brought to you by Drs. Cooper & Banninger, LLC Family Vision Care (1000 E. Cloud) presents:
The community of Salina and their outstanding support of serving those in need, amid the Federal Government shutdown.
By: NICOLAS FIERRO
Salina Post
Throughout the Federal Government shutdown, which has temporarily halted services and resources for those in need, the community of Salina has stepped up to provide the necessities for those who are and have suffered amid the shutdown.
Various nonprofits such as the Salvation Army of Salina, Salina Area United Way, Kansas Impact Coalition, Salina Rescue Mission, to name a few and even employees of Saline County, have rallied together and stepped up to provide for those in need.
The Salvation Army of Salina
“At The Salvation Army, we believe no one should face hardship alone," said Lt. Luke Hursh, Corps Officer/Administrator of The Salvation Army of Salina. "During this government shutdown, we’ve seen an increase in need, and our mission remains the same — to serve without discrimination and meet both physical and spiritual needs. Our community dinners are one way we can ensure families don’t have to choose between paying a bill and having a warm meal. We’re here to be a steady hand of hope in uncertain times.
The Salvation Army has been providing their "community dinners" as a way to help in this time of need. During this time, the Salvation Army is serving their dinners free of charge Monday through Friday from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm at 1137 N. Santa Fe Ave.
The meal program provides hot, nutritious dinners for anyone in need and absolutely no paperwork or qualifications are required.
“We know that when programs like SNAP are delayed or uncertain, it puts even more pressure on families already struggling to make ends meet,” said Lt. Hursh. “Our dinner program ensures that no one in Salina has to go without a meal, regardless of their situation.”
On top of the Salvation Army serving their free community dinners, the thrift store is an avenue that helps the less fortunate.
The store offers affordable clothing, small furniture, household items and more—helping families save on essentials while supporting community programs.
“When you shop or donate at our thrift store, you’re not just finding a good deal—you’re helping someone else in Salina put food on the table,” said Lt. Hursh, “Every purchase makes a difference.”
For more information about meal times, volunteer opportunities, or ways to give, please contact The Salvation Army of Salina at (785) 823-2251.
Kansas Impact Coalition
The Kansas Impact Coalition (KIC), in partnership with the Smoky Hill Equality Coalition, has recently launched a 24-hour accessible fridge and freezer donation and food-pick up station at two locations across Salina.
This initiative called Salina Fridge & Freezer, started back on Tuesday, October 28 for the purpose of mitigating food insecurity across the Salina/Saline County area.
“As SNAP benefits are cut and harmful (political) choices make it harder for families to afford groceries, what was already a food desert in Salina has now become an emergency,” said Miranda Bachman, President of KIC. “Our neighbors deserve access to healthy food, day and night — and we refuse to wait for policy to catch up to the need.”
The locations for the 24-hour fridge and freezer are currently set at Bravo’s Sliders & Bites (1400 East Iron Avenue), Salina Seventh-Day Adventist Church (834 N. Eleventh St.), Aubrey Jayne at American Family Insurance (1013 Albert Ave) and St John's Missionary Baptist Church (215 S. Chicago St.).
KIC has stated this fridge and freezer as a dignity-first model:
Take what you need. Give what you can.
Only fresh foods are accepted:
- Fruits & vegetables
- Milk, dairy, cheese, eggs
- Other refrigerated food, drinks and goods
- Non perishable goods (leave on top of fridge and freezer)
According to Bachman, The Temple (336 S. Santa Fe) has women hygiene products and small baby items donation spot near their front entrance. Moreover, Megan Rico an affiliate of KIC is starting a Formula drive, distributing throughout the community.
"We are working with Blessing Boxes to be set up and going to be putting up structures for winter," said Bachman. We are asking help from the community when they can stock fridges, which are available 24/7 or you can sign up to sponsor a fridge. Host sites are not responsible for stocking the fridges."
KIC is actively seeking additional partners, host sites and donated refrigerators/freezers to expand access across Salina.
Donation questions: [email protected] or text 832-872-5304.
Partnership & host-site inquiries: Contact Kansas Impact Coalition (785) 643-6675 or by email: [email protected]
Program questions: Contact Kansas Impact Coalition (785) 643-6675 or by email: [email protected]
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This edition of Salina Sees You is brought to you by Drs. Cooper & Banninger, LLC Family Vision Care (1000 E. Cloud). Call (785) 823-6391 or visit today, to make an appointment.
Salina Area United Way
"United is the Way" is the slogan Salina Area United Way (SAUW) lives by.
On top of the resources SAUW provides, the organization has recently announced a community food and resource fair that will be occurring at the Tony's Pizza Events Center (TPEC) on Monday, November 17 from 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm.
This event, SNAP Back Against Hunger is a call to action for the Salina community to come together and support families who are now facing increased food insecurity due to the disruption in federal assistance.
Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE), represents the growing number of families who are unable to afford the basic needs of housing, child care, food, transportation, health care and technology.
According to an ALICE report in Saline County provided by SAUW, 38% of households in Saline County are either living in poverty or earning less than what’s needed to cover basic living expenses.
“So many families in Saline County rely on SNAP benefits to put food on the table,” said Christina Small, Executive Director of Salina Area United Way. “With the government shutdown halting this critical support, many are left without the resources they depend on. This event is about coming together as a community to ensure no one goes hungry.”
Early Childcare Initiative Director, Michelle Groopman stated this event is very important in giving back to those who are in need throughout the community.
"In general, this is going to be really important to give back to the community - to let them know we are here for them and just to hopefully give them a grain of hope," Groopman said.
This event happening at TPEC is a community-wide event, which will feature about or have over 20 organizations. These organizations in attendance (consisting of food, financial and family resources), will communicate and show others how their organization can provide the resources each person at the event needs.
Small commented how important it is for organizations and people in the community to rally together during these times.
"In these times of emergency needs, this is when it's really important for the community to pull and work together," she said. "We do not look at this shutdown as politics. Right now, we all need to put politics aside and look at your neighbors. These are the people you see and interact with everyday. We are not just a nonprofit organization, we are catalyst, a convener and connector. Our mission is to strengthen north central Kansas by uniting people and resources, to build thriving resilient communities."
"I have lived in several different states, and this is the first town I have ever lived in where I have really seen people rally together to meet this need," said Groopman.
Donations are welcome, which will help SAWU to purchase more food items and all other dollars will be allocated towards their Emergency Relief Fund, as well as being stored in case the shutdown lasts longer.
Click here to donate or volunteer for SNAP Back Against Hunger on Monday, November 17.
Salina Rescue Mission
The Salina Rescue Mission's feeding program, is the only program in the area that serves 3 meals a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year.
Executive Pastor of the Salina Rescue Mission, Chad Young is calling on the community for your support in helping them upkeep the service of meals throughout the shutdown.
“When families lose SNAP, they often turn to us as their next line of support,” said Young. “We are preparing to serve more meals than ever, but we cannot do it alone. This year we have served over 70,000 meals thanks to the community’s support. With SNAP looking like it is going to be put on hold for an unknown length of time, it calls our community to help those that will be filling the gap.”
The Mission currently serves 95 men that are being assisted to regain stability and work towards self-sufficiency, according to Young.
On top of their service to men 18 years and up, the Mission also provides showers for both unsheltered men and women along with clean clothes.
Food drives are projected to occur, which include Project Salina and the Dr. Temple Food Drive (coming up Friday, November 21 - Saturday, November 22 at all three Dillon’s locations)
1:00 pm to 6:00 pm (Friday, November 21).
10:00 am to 3:00 pm (Saturday, November 22).
“Those who are on fixed incomes that are disabled and/or elderly are the most vulnerable,” said Young. “We have a great caring community and some great agencies like the Emergency Aid Foodbank, programs like Meals on Wheels, and others. It takes us all doing our part to help meet this huge need.”
Make a secure online gift at www.salinarescuemission.com or mail donations to: Salina Rescue Mission PO Box 1667 Salina, KS 67402-1667
Volunteer: Sign up on the Mission website SalinaRescueMission.com to help prepare and serve meals or collect food donations. Email: [email protected]
Saline County Hygiene Drive
Tonya Moran-Diaz and Rebecca Nichols, two Saline County employees stepped up to provide a hygiene drive in the wake of the shutdown.
"We are two ordinary women who recognized an important need within our community," said Nichols. "We have heard and seen all of the worries of losing SNAP and we felt we needed to do our part to help the community."
This drive will occur until Sunday, November 30 at various drop-off locations throughout the Saline County/Salina area:
- City-County building (300 W. Ash Street) Room 209
- Ad Astra Books & Coffee House (135 N. Santa Fe)
- Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank (255 S. Chicago)
- Eagle Communications (1825 S. Ohio)
- Saline County Sheriff's Office (800 E. Pacific Ave)
Once all donations are collected, items will be distributed to the KIC and the Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank.
Items collected for the drive include:
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Deodorant
- Soap
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Hand sanitizer
- Body wipes
- Detergent
- Shaving cream
- Toilet paper
- Cleaning supplies
- Disinfectant wipes
- Feminine products
"With the ongoing government shutdown and the potential loss of SNAP benefits for many families in November, countless individuals may soon face a difficult decision at the grocery store, choosing between essential cleaning products or food," added Moran-Diaz. "We believe no one should have to make that choice. Everyone deserves access to both nourishment and hygiene. As we move deeper into cold, flu, and COVID season, maintaining good hygiene is one of the most effective ways to help reduce the spread of illness. Both the Salina Food Bank and the Kansas Impact Coalition actively distribute hygiene and personal care items, turning community donations into tangible care for those in need. Unfortunately, these essential items are among the least donated and will be taken off the grocery list because food is more important."
The Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank offers scheduled hours for distribution, and the Kansas Impact Coalition provides support by appointment for individuals unable to visit the Food Bank.
"Every contribution, no matter how small helps ensure that members of our community can meet their basic needs with dignity and health," said Moran-Diaz.
Salina sees you, Community of Salina.
If you would like to share your personal story or know anyone who may have a story that will inspire each reader, please email Salina Post News Director, Nicolas Fierro: [email protected] or [email protected] (during regular business hours).
You can also contact: (785) 656-9856 (during regular business hours).