Needs continue past the giving season

The Christmas season is a time when thoughts often turn to those in need, and often donations of food, clothing and money are poured into local helping organizations.

When the holidays are over, those organizations are still there and so are the needs for some in the community.

Wilma Leach, director of Mother to Mother Ministry, said providing financial assistance to low-income families to help with payments on utility bills and rent, is currently the chief concern.

Leach said families interested in receiving help need to fill out a financial assistance application to determine eligibility. The application can be picked up at Mother to Mother Ministry, located at 728 Heylman St.

"We try to limit it (assistance with utility payments) to $50 per person to stretch it as far as we can," Leach said. "Sometimes we're able to put the electric bills on a payment plan."

Mother to Mother Ministry also assists low-income families in many other areas, such as providing necessities for infants and young children. Leach said the non-profit group provided qualifying families with diapers, baby formula and food, wipes, baby shampoo and soap, lotions and powders, over the counter baby medications, baby clothes, baby car seats that meet federal guidelines, beds and toys -- which were primarily received through donations as well as purchases made by Mother to Mother Ministry.

Leach said Mother to Mother Ministry often collaborates with other groups, such as The Beacon.

Mother to Mother Ministry provided financial assistance for utility bills to 16 qualifying families in January, and an undisclosed number so far in February.

Leach also said she encourages mothers in need of financial assistance to apply for The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). According to the website http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/women-infants-and-children-wic, "WIC provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk."

"We encourage them to get on WIC as soon as possible, because formula is expensive," she said.

Leach, who also is the local Salvation Army contact person, said the Salvation Army did not meet its holiday bell ringing goal of raising $15,000 in the Fort Scott area. Leach could not provide an exact figure of the red kettle funds raised over a roughly four-week period beginning the day after Thanksgiving. However, she said bell ringing efforts were hampered by inclement weather. Bell ringers lost eight days due to the harsh conditions.