By Dr. Ferrell Miller
JC Breakfast Optimists Learned About The Work Of The Salvation Army At the February 28 “Celebration of Optimism” meeting at Jim Clark’s Chevrolet. JC Breakfast Optimists heard about the important work being done to help Geary County families. Diahnca Quigley, Quanita Williams and Lois Tessendorf shared about the ongoing need of families and individuals who are homeless, cannot pay their water, gas, or heating/cooling bills while at the same time have enough food to survive.
Diahnca stated that “at Christmas time the Salvation Army red kettle campaigns, which begin in November, this year raised $7,000 and does not go far enough to meet all the needs of as many people as it was possible.” Quanita said that “the people the staff works with “need someone to give them hope, to tell them they are loved and get them the help them need.”
It was shared that in August of 2023, 3,000 individuals were helped directly or by referrals. Twelve hundred people were fed with Harvesters and local homeless food initiatives and 319 people came in and were counseled and/or referred for mental health needs.
In December of 2023 1,000 kids and people were helped not only in Junction City, but also Manhattan and Wamego areas. The local Salvation Army has several goals, which include obtaining a brick-and-mortar building in Junction City; to become a more visible presence in the Wamego area and to continue to partner with agencies, individuals and communities who want to see their neighbors succeed and become stable in all areas of their lives.
For more information, please contact Diahnca Quigley at 785-307-9840.