They never needed help before. Then came a layoff

Share the Season is an annual campaign that offers one-time aid to people affected by unforeseen hardships. The people are not identified to protect their privacy.

Over the years, this 44-year-old woman has referred others to Share the Season for help.

“I never thought I’d need the help myself,” she said.

After all, both she and her husband had steady jobs with decent salaries. Things could get tight, but that’s just the way it is with two sons in college.

But last year, her husband was laid off for three months from his job in the aircraft industry. When he came back, he was assigned a different job with lower pay.

“We’ve been trying to play catch-up ever since,” she said.

They’ve also recently adopted a young child, which has added more expenses.

So the couple decided to ask for assistance. Share the Season responded and will be helping pay some bills by mid-December.

“We are very, very grateful,” she said. “This is really going to make a difference.”

Share the Season is a joint project of The Eagle, the Wichita Community Foundation and the Salvation Army.

So far this season, it has raised more than $79,000.

Send contributions to Share the Season at the Wichita Community Foundation, 301 N. Main, Suite 100, Wichita, KS 67202. To donate online, go to www.sharetheseason.org. If you have questions about donating, call 316-264-4880.

Donors will be listed in The Eagle; please note if you prefer to remain anonymous.

To apply for help, fill out an application at www.sharetheseason.org or pick one up at the Salvation Army, 350 N. Market. The application deadline is Dec. 17. For more information, call 316-263-2769.

This story was originally published December 3, 2016 at 5:37 PM with the headline "They never needed help before. Then came a layoff."