By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Salvation Army Paper Pantry has had to shut down as a result of a lack of supplies.
Just a few months ago, NCK Tech students piled donated toilet paper in small mountain at Salvation Army office at the Hadley Center, but it is all gone now.
Julie Smith, Salvation Army Ellis County coordinator, said it is not just toilet paper the pantry is lacking. Shelves that are also normally full of cleaning spray, hand soap, laundry detergent and paper towels are also bare.
The pantry usually sees about 45 families per month, but recently when layoffs began after Gov. Laura Kelly's stay-at-home order was issued at the end of March, Smith filled needs for 15 families in one afternoon.
Smith said she is seeing new clients, many of whom are Hispanic.
"These are things that people can't buy with food stamps — basics like cleaning supplies," she said. "Families have to decide if they want to buy toilet paper and hand soap or hamburger to feed their kids."
The Salvation Army is asking for donations to restock the shelves and hopes to reopen the pantry.
Items needed include
• Laundry soap
• Toilet paper
• Hand soap
• Small boxes of trash bags
• Dish soap
• Paper towels
• Toilet bowl cleaner
• Cleansers such as Comet
• Monetary donations
Smith said she would normally spend $400 or $500 at the store to stock the shelves, but she is having difficulty even finding some of the items the pantry needs, which are all given away free of charge.
When the pantry is able to reopen, those needing supplies need to show proof of income. They can choose up to $25 worth of supplies. The pantry usually allows a $30 limit but has reduced the amount of supplies for each family based on demand.
Families are allowed to receive supplies from the pantry once every three months.
The Salvation Army also offers rent and utility assistance, but is not providing any assistance during the moratorium on utility shutoffs and evictions.
Smith said she continues to help in any way she can. Two separate elderly individuals contacted her this week within a half hour of each other. Both are shut-ins whose families normally do their grocery shopping. Smith volunteered to help with their shopping and delivered the food to their homes.
"You never know what the needs will be," Smith said.
Donations can be made at the Salvation Army, Hadley Center, Ste. A, 203 E. Seventh, Hays. You can also call 785-621-2794.
All donations are tax-deductible, and all donations in Ellis County stay in Ellis County. If you wish to make a monetary donation, write your check to the Salvation Army, but also write Paper Pantry on the note line of the check.
"So many families depend on coming here," Smith said.