Share the Season begins taking applications

People who have experienced unexpected hardships can apply for help through Share the Season beginning Sunday.

Share the Season is a nonprofit local effort coordinated by the Wichita Community Foundation, the Salvation Army and The Eagle. It offers one-time assistance to people who need help because of hardships such as job loss or illness.

The average recipient receives help paying utility or medical bills. Payments are made directly to creditors.

“I anticipate a strong response of requests,” said Cheryl Warne, director of the Salvation Army's emergency social and disaster service. “I think we will see a lot of requests due to medical emergencies.”

Last year, Warne said, Share the Season helped 214 families. “The greatest number of applicants heard about us through friends.”

People can apply for assistance during the holiday season at www.sharetheseason.org and at the Salvation Army headquarters. The application deadline is Dec. 20.

Starting Thanksgiving Day, The Eagle will feature a daily story of someone in need. Those who are featured will remain anonymous, but their need will be verified by the Salvation Army.

The program is now in its 16th year.

In the first several years, the Wichita Community Foundation provided seed money to help start the campaign. In more recent years, contributions have continued to pour in after the holiday season; some have been used to help people with unexpected needs at other times of the year.

Share the Season is a grassroots approach in which donors send what they can – $5, $10, $25 or more.

Last year, the group received $244,500, said Shelly Prichard, president and CEO of the Wichita Community Foundation.

“We already have received our first check,” Prichard said Thursday. “Donors have come to expect this. This is something they believe in and want to contribute to every year.”

The Wichita Community Foundation has sent out courtesy letters to donors who have given more than $100 in the past. But, Prichard said, donors who paid less than that asked to also have a reminder letter.

“So this year, we are sending letters to anyone who has paid $25 or more and thanking them for their past support,” Prichard said. “It is wonderful donors are seeking out our program.”

The largest single donation last year was $28,000; the smallest was $1.

Each is important and valued, for the local people who are helped, Prichard said.

The recipients, she said, are “people who are working, trying hard and have had a crisis. They can’t turn the corner and have done everything they can. This is a way we can give a boost, thanks to our generous donors.”

This story was originally published October 31, 2015 at 1:01 PM with the headline "Share the Season begins taking applications."