Single and Carefree One Day, Mother of Six the Next Day..
Original Share The Season story, posted in The Wichita Eagle
(October 31, 2021).
Glenda had not had to receive assistance from the community, and she has had the same job and same apartment for the last five years. Unfortunately, that changed for her when she became ill. In early 2020, she started experiencing significant health issues and did not know what was wrong. The doctors were conducting numerous tests to determine how to treat her. Glenda started missing work and some of her time off was unpaid. A school counselor suggested she call The Salvation Army and that is where she learned about Share the Season. Glenda said, “Share the Season has been a blessing to my family, the world needs to know about this program.”
Share the Season provides one-time assistance to people who need help because of hardships such as reduced hours at work, illness or a death in the family. The generosity provided Glenda peace of mind to be able to heal and not worry about making ends meet during this stressful time. After having a reduced paycheck and increased medical expenses, Share the Season was able to assist Glenda with rent and utilities.
Share the Season, now in its 22nd year, is a partnership with the Wichita Eagle and The Salvation Army. Since its inception the program has helped over 3,900 families through community contributions. This year The Salvation Army will lead the fund-raising effort and manage the financial component of the program. They will also provide case management by meeting with people, reviewing their financial situation and trying to find the help they need.
"Share the Season funds fill the gap left by other programs. It is a neighbor helping a neighbor get back on their feet after a crisis. The program is a lifeline for hard-working folks who have experienced an unexpected hardship and need a one-time hand-up,” said Major Nancy Powers, command officer for program development at The Salvation Army. “No one should lose their job because their car broke down and they can't afford the repair. People should not have to choose between burying their mother or paying their rent for two months. Share the Season gives that immediate assistance when it's needed to restore stability to the family."
A Salvation Army team arranges and interviews the people who are seeking help. Criteria for assistance include people who are working and affected by an unforeseen life event that causes a financial hardship. The program can assist with utility bills, car payments, insurance, medical bills and other expenses.
After help from The Salvation Army, Glenda is back on her feet. She has learned to work on her budget, save for a rainy day and she is making ends meet. She says she doesn’t know what she would have done without this assistance, when there was no where else to go. Find out more about Glenda's story.