A Salina organization celebrating 60 years of helping those in need launched a 60 day challenge effort this week.
As part of a 60th Anniversary Celebration, Catholic Charities launched a 60 day effort to raise $60,000. Executive Director Michelle Martin told KSAL News if the $60,000 goal is met a donor has agreed to match it. Martin said that about half of the money has already been pledged via a per-campaign mail effort. They now are motivated to raise the additional money.
Along with the challenge campaign, Martin also made a couple of other announcements. The organization’s Manhattan office is relocating to a much more accessible location. And the organization is getting a big boost to its mobile outreach program. Long McArthur Ford in Salina is providing vehicles for the mobile effort and Salina based 24/7 Convenience Stores are providing fuel.
When the Catholic Charities opened in 1959, they offered assistance to pregnant women in crisis, counseling, adoption services and operated a receiving home for neglected children out of the former Mowery Clinic at 425 W. Iron Street in Salina.
Catholic Charities of Northern Kansas now has offices in Salina, Hays and Manhattan and serves 31 Kansas counties. In addition to counseling and pregnancy and adoption services, Catholic Charities offers emergency rent and utility assistance, relief from predatory lending, homeless prevention programs, legal immigration services and partners with Salina Adult Education Center to offer a 6-week employment boot camp, Partners 4 Success, and ESL Classes.
In 2015, Catholic Charities started a Mobile Outreach Program to assist the underserved rural communities by providing food, clothing, blankets and hygiene items. Each month, Catholic Charities Mobile Outreach vans travel to Ellsworth, Lincoln, Wilson, Sylvan Grove, Minneapolis, Concordia, Osborne, Beloit. Russell, WaKeeney, Norton, Colby, Junction City, Ogden, Clay Center, Herington and Abilene.
Catholic Charities doors are open to all people living in poverty and crisis, regardless of religion.
If you would like to donate to help in the $60,000 challenge effort you can do so online at www.ccnks.org or at any of the Catholic Charities locations in Salina, Manhattan, or Hays.
