By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Salvation Army in Hutchinson is running out of funds each month for direct support for things like rent and utilities.
"Last month, we ran out like the 11th, which is really fast to do that," said Maj. Paul James. "That's kind of been the theme since, maybe June, around that time. We've just had that many more people coming in for assistance and it really is kind of a first case, whoever gets there first."
Some of their caseload has to do with the furloughs from local manufacturers due to supply chain issues and that's where the No Wrong Door program comes in even if there aren't funds available.
"We'll help them," said emergency case worker Tabitha Neahring. "We'll help them find all the resources. We encourage them to go to the workforce center to maybe try to find a different job to get them through until they can get back on, if they are laid off, so they are not without an income, because that layoff could last a long time."
The other issue is that government programs, no matter how well intentioned, can't move fast enough for some of those in need.
"Most people that come in, they're not talking about next month, they're talking about, I'm going to get evicted if I don't come up with rent," James said. "We have some government funds that are available, but it takes six to eight weeks to find out if you're going to qualify. We have some great landlords here in our community. We have some that operate from out of state, but they own houses here and so sometimes they're a little bit rougher, but we have a lot of really great landlords here in our community, but they have suffered through COVID, just with, no one had to pay their rent, because they couldn't and then, when it comes time, they kind of need income to pay their bills, as well."
Because of the increase in need and the uncertainty of the income streams for those they help, James was not able to pin down a number that would be sufficient to give them resources for all that are looking each month, but they are seeing new people all the time that have never asked before.