Nov 20, 2025

First Call for Help thanks community for fundraising; Chestnut Floral sets food drive

Posted Nov 20, 2025 5:47 PM
Hays Middle School Student Council members sponsored a dodgeball tournament to raise funds for First Call for Help. Courtesy photo
Hays Middle School Student Council members sponsored a dodgeball tournament to raise funds for First Call for Help. Courtesy photo

By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

Hays Middle School Student Council hosted a dodgeball tournament on Oct. 24, and all proceeds raised were donated to First Call for Help.

The agency will be using these funds to help stock its pantry.

The students also collected nonperishable goods on the day of the event, and they were also donated to the agency.

"What a great group of kids out making a difference in the community! The total donation amount was $950! Way to go!" First Call for Help said on its Facebook page.

The Fort Hays State University Leadership 310 team raised $3,088 for First Call for Help. Courtesy photo
The Fort Hays State University Leadership 310 team raised $3,088 for First Call for Help. Courtesy photo

FHSU Leadership 310

The Fort Hays State University Leadership 310 team raised $3,088 (its most successful fundraiser yet) for First Call for Help this semester during its carnival night.

"A big thank you to our FHSU Leadership 310 team for all their hard work on the project! We appreciate you voting for us on project presentations and choosing to work with us!" First Call said on its Facebook page.

The FHSU Leadership 310 carnival fundraiser for First Call for Help. Courtesy photo
The FHSU Leadership 310 carnival fundraiser for First Call for Help. Courtesy photo
The FHSU Leadership 310 carnival fundraiser for First Call for Help. Courtesy photo
The FHSU Leadership 310 carnival fundraiser for First Call for Help. Courtesy photo

"Another thank you goes out to all of our wonderful volunteers, the night of the event, we couldn’t have done it without you!! The BIGGEST thank you to all of our sponsors, this event truly couldn’t have happened without you!" the post said.

With the delay in SNAP benefits due to the government shutdown, food pantries, including First Call for Help, have seen significant increases in demand for food assistance.

Celebration Community Church also recently dropped off nonperishable food items from a food drive at the church.

Chestnut Street Floral food, hygiene drive this week

Chestnut Street Floral will be a drop-off site for food and hygiene items for First Call for Help this week through Saturday.

The agency's wish list changes weekly, but their current needs can be seen on the flyer below.

"Please consider bringing in even one item as you venture Downtown this week. Every little bit helps," Chestnut Street Floral said in a Facebook post.

Cerv's customers

First Call for Help also thanked&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ceRvs.stores?__cft__[0]=AZViFnHQmc9CsHkj27NXTOIL4SYebwzvfvJyBwNcspYc8WUxDpbAzCLYvCLgwV0T107J7U_NQ5iEzIglJSmu6rKU19iPNLrd1QytPiMT_3aAA6mcucxoO61LeTyi2qK3FutNR_fDrNFJPgEtntiQ_zBq&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Cerv's</a>&nbsp;for collecting money for the agency at its checkout counters. "All this money goes right back into our food pantry! What awesome customers you have!" the agency said. Courtesy photo
First Call for Help also thanked Cerv's for collecting money for the agency at its checkout counters. "All this money goes right back into our food pantry! What awesome customers you have!" the agency said. Courtesy photo
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