By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
Catholic Charities of Northern Kansas outlined its plans to expand and offer new services during a Chamber in Hays Chamber Chat Friday.
For more than 60 years, Catholic Charities has been offering financial and housing aid, as well as personal care and basic needs.
Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Northern Kansas Megan Robl said at the presentation Friday that despite being a Catholic organization, they are dedicated to assisting the entire community.
"All of our services are provided to everyone in need, regardless of religion, race or nationality," she said.
The "Before the Build Breakfast and Preview" presentation also highlighted the assistance provided in other areas, including transportation, food, hygiene, pregnancy support, adoption and counseling services.
Eligibility for financial and emergency assistance programs is determined by the family's household income. For more information on the services offered, click here.
Catholic Charities opened its first office in Hays with one staff member in 1983 and now serves 16 counties in the western Diocese region.
Its current office, 122 E. 12th St., is not large enough,especially for storing essential items.
"To address these challenges, an incredibly generous local couple stepped forward and truly changed the trajectory of our mission across northwest Kansas," Robl said.
Verlin Pfannestiel and Elaine Pfannestiel recently donated a 9,000-square-foot building at 1015 Centennial Blvd. to Catholic Charities.
The facility is undergoing development to function as its headquarters in western Kansas.
"We'll have a welcoming entrance space that's nice and secure for both staff and visitors," Robl said. "We'll also have a beautiful big warehouse for storing large amounts of food and hygiene items."
A second thrift store, from its current location in Salina, will be added to provide low-cost goods and clothing for families.
The expansion will not only triple the office space but will also incorporate a training room, a workroom and a break room.
Director of Development Jessica Allen provided an update on the project's progress and its alignment with its goals.
"Our fundraising goal is $1,216,000, we're 80 percent there, so we only have $250,000 left," she said.
The opening of the new location is anticipated to be this fall.
During the presentation, Bishop Jerry Vincke said he was grateful to everyone involved in the expansion. He said it will benefit a lot of people.
"I'm thrilled about this possibility because it's going to make what we do so much even more prevalent in our communities," he said, "not only in Hays but throughout the rest of the diocese as well."
Vincke said Catholic Charities is dedicated to assisting and guiding those in need, aligning with the mission of Jesus.
"We're continuing the ministry of Jesus, proclaiming good news to the poor, giving hope to those who are lost and confused, and telling people that God is with them through it all," he said.
Special contributors to the project participated in the sledgehammer ceremony, taking turns striking a wall that was still under construction.
Some project expenses have received backing from the Kansas Department of Commerce, Community Service Tax Credit Program and the Patterson Family Foundation.
Robl said she was grateful to all attendees, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony is also planned for the future.
"We are so excited to see the progress of the project come to fruition, and we cannot wait to schedule a ribbon cutting to celebrate the grand opening," Robl said.
The Hays Support Center at 122 E. 12th. St. is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Fridays.
For more information on Catholic Charities of Northern Kansas, visit its website.
You can also follow the organization on Facebook.