While the winter holiday season draws nearer, the season of giving is already underway. The recent delays in federal distributions of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits have already begun to strain food pantries across the country, due to an increased need for their services.
To support a local food pantry, the Labette County Emergency Assistance Center, several organizations have begun to collect donations to benefit those who need those services.
According to President Shawn Carter of Community National Bank and Trust, this is just another way to serve the community.
“We knew that the Labette County Emergency Assistance Center was going to have problems with food distribution this month and with the government shutdown and snap benefits being delayed, we decided to go ahead and do a food drive,” Carter said.
The food drive began Oct. 15, and is set to wrap up on Saturday, Nov. 15.
“What we are doing is, for every item we are collecting, the bank is going to donate 25 cents in cash, up to a $500 donation,” Carter said.
He noted that bank staff have already delivered two loads of donations to the Labette County Emergency Assistance Center.
“We’re not letting it pile up because we want to get it
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in the hands of people that need it,” Carter said.
To donate, individuals can bring their items to Community State Bank. Carter said the goal is to be able to donate 2000 items.
“I think it is the responsibility of the businesses and the citizens of our communities to try and take care of eah other, and serve each other,” Carter said. “I personally feel very fortunate in things that I have in my life. I don’t know what it’s like to be hungry and I think that is one of the things that drives me. It makes me very sad to think that we have people out there that go to bed hungry.”
Carter noted that even after the Nov. 15 deadline, Community National Bank would still help get any donations to the Labette Emergency Assistance Center.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 704 is also collecting donations for the center. In a post to the VFW Post 704 Facebook Page, the group announced that a collection box has been set up to gather non-perishable food items for those in need.
“For each item you donate, you’ll receive one ticket for a special prize drawing during Bingo night,” the post stated. “Let’s make a difference together, while having fun! You’re generosity helps our community thrive.”
While SNAP benefits were rolled out to Kansas on Friday, Nov. 7, there is still a need for several food and hygiene items including but not limited to: canned vegetables, canned soup, rice, pasta, cereal, crackers, bread, buns, shelf-stable milk, peanut butter, canned protein, cooking oil, spices, dish soap, laundry detergent, and hand soap Donations can be taken to Community National Bank and Trust at 300 N. 16th St., Parsons or to VFW Brown-Bishop Post 704 at 105 E. Main St., Parsons. To learn more about the Labette County Emergency Assistance Center, visit https://www. facebook.com/labetteassistancecenter.
