Emergency Help for Families Impacted by COVID-9
Funds will help with emergency food, cleaning supplies, and support stable housing for low-income families impacted from COVID-19, as identified by social workers.
Leader
Kathleen Webb
Location
2023 N. Arkansas Wichita, KS 67203
About the project
With COVID-19 we need help! Children First has social services team (social workers, practicum students, case managers, and therapist) in seven neighborhoods, based in schools. They are working hard to get basic food, hygiene, cleaning supplies, etc. to low-income families, many who have been laid off as hourly workers.
Problem #1: with the schools closing, we need to rent space for our emergency processing center. When we can find bulk food, such as a 50 lb. bag of rice, we need space to process it into smaller bags. We need space to sort cleaning and hygiene items into bags.
Problem #2: We have a mother with an infant that cannot find a specific baby formula because the shelves are empty. They have the product at a membership only retail store, but as a low-income mother, she doesn’t have access. We need money to purchase items bulk item, including hard to get products.
Problem #3: the schools are closed but the families are driving by to pick up the food. One of the faith-based schools we work with has exhausted kitchen staff from packing 1000 meals a day. We hired three low-income individuals who we have supported with rent assistance, but now laid-off, to help four hours a day, five days a week, for a couple of weeks. We are using our cash reserves to pay them but need help to continue the support.
Problem #4: Our lowest income families are hourly worker who have been laid-off. Although there is a law delaying eviction, their financial problems will be greatly compounded with the lack of work. Their rent/utilities will pile up with little hope of getting caught up. Funds will be used if the social worker identifies the family as desperate.
The Steps
Step #1: rent space for a processing center that is move in ready
Step #2: Purchase bulk food and cleaning supplies in bulk for delivery
Step #3: Extend weeks for workers packing meals
Step #4: Empower the social worker to have deeper conversations with low-income families to determine housing and utility assistance.
Why we‘re doing it
The school is the only place many low-income students receive food. With COVID-19, the school is working hard to prepare the food, but the kitchen staff is exhausted. A Dad was ready to return to work after surgery, but now his job has been delayed because of COVID-19. They have used all their savings during his down time but cannot pay next months rent. We need funds to help low-income families through this difficult time.