Need help or want to help? Share the Season holiday giving program has started

People experiencing unexpected hardships can get help from Share the Season beginning Monday.

The local nonprofit provides one-time assistance to people who need help because of hardships such as job loss or illness during the holidays. Applications will be accepted from noon Oct. 29 through noon Dec. 14.

This marks the 19th season for Share the Season. Last year, 210 families were helped by the $216,000 donated by 892 people. Since it began, the program has helped 3,500 families with $3.3 million.

Share the Season is a partnership between the Wichita Community Foundation, the Salvation Army and the Wichita Eagle.

The average Share the Season recipient gets help paying utility or medical bills. Payments are made directly to creditors. In recent years, contributions have continued to pour in after the holiday season, and some have been used to help people with unexpected needs at other times of the year.

Families who often don’t qualify for other programs apply for assistance and are screened by the Salvation Army to verify needs. The Wichita Eagle runs daily stories on families in need. The Wichita Community Foundation handles all donations and issues receipts to those who donate.

“Being a one-time assistance program, Share the Season has helped thousands of different families the past 19 years,” said Shelly Prichard, executive director of the Wichita Community Foundation. “This initiative really showcases the extent of generosity in our city. Thanks to our donors, we can continue to increase the span of our impact on those experiencing financial hardship.”

How to get help

People can apply for assistance at www.sharetheseason.org and at the Salvation Army headquarters, 350 N. Market. If you have questions about applying, call 316-263-2769 or visit www.sharetheseason.org. The application deadline is noon Dec. 14.

How to give help

Donors can send contributions to Share the Season, Wichita Community Foundation, 301 N. Main, Suite 100, Wichita, KS 67202. Donations can also be made through PayPal online at www.sharetheseason.org.

This story was originally published October 28, 2018 at 8:00 AM.