At Humanity House we are celebrating our third year in existence. It was in December of 2015 that we moved into our first office space, a space that was donated for our use by John McRae.
By the time we opened up shop, we had already held a Poverty Summit that was attended by people from 88 of the 112 organizations that help people in Allen County. Wed closed out our first gardening season, had our first utility relief fundraiser, and built and installed the Blessing Boxes in Iola, Humboldt, and Elsmore. Wed built and installed Little Lending Libraries in Iola and Moran and held our first clothing swap. Laundry Love began. We created a small food pantry and agreed to cook Sunday Soups.
That year, we gave out our first 50 Christmas boxes of food in conjunction with Santas Toy Shop. With some amazing volunteers, duffle bags for kids going into foster care were created. A Dignity Drive was successful in providing sanitary products for girls in Humboldt, Moran and Iola. Ideas on ways we could facilitate interaction between people swirled around our office.
In January, we began our first series of classes, all led by volunteer teachers. The amount of laughter that filled our small office was wonderful. But on the horizon were the dreams of what could be accomplished if we had a bigger space of our own. With that goal in mind, we moved forward. And then backward. Our donated space was sold, and we moved into a space that was even smaller. It was donated by Bob Shaugnessy. We crammed ourselves and the food pantry into a shared space with EZ Tax Service.
Then a home was donated by Cindy Kress to Humanity House. While Georgia held down the office, remodeling the house and gardening began. At the end of that summer, the house was finished and sold within three weeks. We finally had the money for our building.
During this time, our fundraisers and classes continued in the Party Girls building, which was donated by Linda Sigg. We worked on lighting the Iola and Humboldt Squares at Christmas, and Santas Toy Shop grew and added a parade to the event.
We began remodeling our new building a place of our own, totally paid for, that would provide office and class space, a kitchen, laundry facilities, and a food pantry. From December 25 until March 31, with the help of lots of volunteers, work went on inside for 16 hours a day.
We moved into our home on April 1. To say that it has been easy would be the truth. To say that it has been hard would be the truth. It has been endless hours of work and stress and worry. It has been endless hours of laughter and fun and surprises.
Humanity House operates on one $40,000 grant from Kansas Health Forward. That grant covers two salaries. Every other single thing that we do is through your kindness.
Here is how amazing you are.
Since we opened our doors, you have helped pay $97,502.00 in utility, medical, and sometimes rent assistance to families who are going through a crisis. You have given over $26,000 to provide food for 7,373 people through the food pantry and Christmas boxes. You have given countless donations of food. Through donations from Sharon Sigg and TLC Garden Center, water from the City of Iola, and Elm Creek Community Garden, which was donated to Humanity House this year, we have been able to provide 18,500 pounds of fresh produce to 3,297 people. Laundry Love, through your generous donations of $8,800, provided clean clothing and bedding for 682 families.
With our new building, two donors provided new washers and dryers. Your donations gave bicycles to 65 children who didnt have a bike, turning them into Kindness Kids who then did good deeds for others. Your donations of over $7,000 have lit up the squares at Christmas and brightened up Santas Toy Shop. All of your money that we receive goes directly back into Allen County.
The names of every person who has volunteered theirtime, treasure, or talents are too numerous to list. Never doubt that your kindness is not appreciated or that your investments in Humanity House are not given back. Without you, all of these good things would have only been dreams.
Kindness Matters
