By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The need in Reno County is as great as it has ever been.
"We've been seeing a record number of people either coming to our doors or calling," said Paul James with the Salvation Army. "For example, one hour, we had 27 people call for financial assistance, whether that was for rent or utilities. I know we've been overwhelmed. We're probably a week or two behind in trying to just process those individuals to get those bills paid."
KWBW's Project Concern helps with getting Thanksgiving assistance for families in Reno County. The screening process for receiving families this year is online.
"It's nice that it's a little easier for people to sign up," James said. "Now, we're not having to do the face to face. We can help out individuals if they are having issues with uploading documents, they can make an appointment to come in and let us verify those forms."
At 8:45 Friday morning a business in South Hutchinson called BW and said, if listeners would bring $1000 to the radio station by noon, he would match that $1000. Promotion started on the BW morning show live. As of 11 a.m., listeners had already brought out over $7000.
The fundraising for Project Concern will continue through noon on November 23rd and will assist Friendship Meals and the Christian Soup Ministry, as well. KWBW's Project Concern raised $16,197 in 2019 and helped 625 families with over 2000 people.