Author: Mary Rupert

Shelter KC to serve Christmas meals on Friday

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Shelter KC’s second annual celebration of Christmas for Kansas City’s neediest residents will be held Friday, Dec. 23. And it will go on no matter what the weather brings.

There are many Christmas events for homeless and poor families and children in Kansas City. Shelter KC works with homeless adults, and this event gives them a joyous holiday dinner event. The event is an opportunity to bundle up some practical items to help them survive this winter. The idea is to share hope with those who have no hope, a spokesman stated.

The event will be at two locations, the Shelter KC’s Men’s Center, 1520 Cherry St., and the Truman event center nearby in Kansas City, Missouri.

A special holiday dinner will be served at Shelter KC, with the remainder of the celebration planned for the Truman across the street from the Men’s Center.

There will be three seatings of up to 150 people at a time for dinner. After eating, guests will walk across the street for the rest of the celebration.

Shelter KC plans to distribute at least 600 gift bags in specially designed bags at the event. There will be a gospel message and live musical groups will perform.

Shoes and socks have been donated, in partnership with Operation Care International, and will be distributed along with winter hats, gloves and coats.

There also will be game and crafts booths, dessert, a coffee truck, and Santa Claus will visit throughout the day.

Hundreds of volunteers will assist. Financial donations are more than welcome. Donate through the website: www.shelterkc.org.

Only 25 percent of Kansas Homeowner Assistance Funds remain

Homeowners in need of assistance encouraged to apply now

The Kansas Homeowner Assistance Fund (KHAF), a federally funded, temporary emergency program to support homeowners experiencing hardship during the COVID pandemic, has dispersed 75 percent of program funds, according to an announcement on Dec. 19.

Since the program launched in April 2022, KHAF has provided $34,946,068 to 3,151 households. With a quarter of funds still available, homeowners in need of assistance are encouraged to apply now while funding remains.

“I was stressed and overwhelmed when I got behind on my mortgage payments,” said one KHAF applicant. “With so much going on in my life, I was hesitant to get started applying. However, I learned that the application process was much easier than I thought. My advice to others is to apply now; don’t wait. If you need help, you can always call a KHAF customer service representative.”

KHAF was established with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to help qualifying Kansas homeowners get current on their mortgage payments and avoid foreclosure. Eligible homeowners at least 30 days past-due on mortgage and/or property taxes can receive payment assistance for mortgages, utility bills, property taxes, and other charges associated with delinquency.

For more information and to apply, visit the Kansas Homeowner Assistance Fund (KHAF) webpage at https://kshousingcorp.org/kansas-homeowner-assistance-fund/. For questions, contact KHAF customer service at 855-307-5423.

Manhattan Democrat to resign from Kansas Senate midway through 4-year term

by Tim Carpenter, Kansas Reflector

Topeka — Democratic Tom Hawk of Manhattan said Thursday he would retire Jan. 10 midway through his four-year term in the Kansas Senate.

Hawk, 76, is a retired school superintendent and teacher who had a 33-year career in public education. He served three terms in the Kansas House before defeated for reelection in 2010. In 2012, he won the first of three elections for Kansas Senate.

He represents the 22nd District in the Senate that includes Riley, Geary and Clay counties.

“It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve our state and represent my pocket of Kansas in the Legislature,” Hawk said. “I am grateful to my neighbors for placing their trust in me to be their voice in Topeka over these past 10 plus years.”

The 2023 Legislature convenes Jan. 9. Hawk’s exit from the Senate would officially transpire the next day. He serves on the Senate’s budget, transportation and utilities committees.

Senate Democratic Leader Dinah Sykes, of Lenexa, said residents of Hawk’s district were fortunate to be represented by Hawk. She said his work to secure K-12 and university funding and to advance bipartisan legislation, including the state highway plan, would benefit the state for generations.

“His intellect, attention to detail and inimitable wit made our team stronger,” Sykes said. “Our caucus will feel a little emptier and a lot less funny without Tom Hawk in the room every day.”

His seat in the Kansas Senate will be filled through a selection process organized by the Kansas Democratic Party. Republicans in the Kansas Senate hold a 29-11 advantage over the minority party. The full Senate doesn’t face reelection until 2024.

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