Despite what seems growing odds, Hope Unlimited is able to keep its doors open.
“We are attempting to take care of what we can right now,” said Cris Bacon, Hope Unlimited volunteer coordinator. “We’ve seen quite a bit of traffic lately. Part of that is the economy and the stress it puts on families.”
The shelter itself runs on a shoestring and its cupboards are bare.
Staff and volunteers are hoping Thursday night’s ice cream social on the square will help raise public awareness of the good the shelter provides for the area.
Due to the increase in need for assistance, the food bank Hope Unlimited maintains has been depleted. The organization is looking for a variety of supplies.
“We need the staples,” Bacon said. “Some of the women and children we help are staying at places like hotels where there aren’t any kitchens so we need things like peanut butter, jam and jelly and other things that don’t require cooking. We’ve been so busy that we are pretty bare at the moment.”
Besides donations, the organization is looking for an increase in volunteers, either at the shelter or for possible fundraising events.
In terms of fundraising, Bacon is attempting to think outside the box with a new set of events. In addition to the November wine tasting which has been a traditional event for the group, a new beer tasting event is being considered. For the outdoor enthusiast, sometime in August a clay pigeon shoot event is also in the works, with a possible bow shoot event later on after Labor Day as well.
“We are looking to get as many different events that will help draw in all kinds of interests,” Bacon said. “There is a common goal to support but we want to attract as many different people as we can to our cause.”
Fundraising also includes applying to various foundations and government entities.
“Right now I’m doing a lot of grant writing,” Dorothy Sparks, CEO of Hope Unlimited Inc. Iola, said. “We are digging for everything that can help us right now.”
Anyone interested in making food donations or volunteering can contact Hope Unlimited Inc. at 620-365-7566 or at hope-unlimited.org.
Hope Unlimited is the first organization in a list of succesive groups that will take a turn each Thursday serving homemade ice cream. Serving begins at 7 p.m. and goes through the band concert, which starts at 8 p.m. on the north side of the square.
