THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 40, NO. 10 | OCTOBER 12, 2018
PHOTO BY KIRBY COBB
The Catholic Charities Resource Bus takes goods and services to rural communities to make sure the organization has a footprint in all 21 counties in the archdiocese. Above, volunteers work with clients in Holton.
MOBILE RESCUE
Catholic Charities Resource Bus brings help and hope to rural communities By Jan Dixon Special to The Leaven
M
O U N D CITY — Ne i g h b o r s helping n e i g h b o rs . That’s what was happening when the Catholic Charities Resource Bus parked in the lot of Sacred Heart Parish here recently. And it’s what happens every Tuesday and Thursday when the Resource Bus takes goods and services to the rural communities of the archdiocese. The Mobile Resource Bus program was launched about five years ago, in an effort to make sure Catholic Charities had a footprint in all 21 counties of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. “We have physical brick and mortar buildings — Emergency Assistance Centers — in six counties: Johnson, Wyandotte, Atchison,
PHOTO BY KIRBY COBB
Terry Punswick, right, helps a client pick out groceries in the parish hall at Sacred Heart in Mound City. Later, the bus traveled to nearby Osawatomie to provide assistance in that town. Leavenworth, Shawnee and Douglas,” said Camille Pickhinke, parish and community outreach coordinator for Catholic Charities.
NEW AT CYO
John McGoldrick has been named the new executive director of CYO. Page 5
That left 15 counties untouched. “These are our rural, outlying areas that are oftentimes food and resource deserts,” she said.
GREEN THUMB
Master gardener works to beautify Prince of Peace, Olathe, grounds. Page 16
To reach these communities, two buses were purchased with the aid of grant funding. Each serves as an office on wheels. In each county served by the Mobile Resource Bus, Catholic Charities partners with a church, library or social service agency to “set up shop.” At Sacred Heart, the parish hall was used for the morning. In the afternoon, the bus traveled to Osawatomie and served clients out of the public library. “Our objective is to offer stabilization services to individuals and families with the goal of helping them work toward strengthening themselves and their families,” said Pickhinke. During scheduled appointments, a case manager provides wraparound case management, budget coaching and appropriate referrals. In some cases, direct financial assistance funds may be used to >> See “AGENCY” on page 7
MISSION SUNDAY
World Mission Sunday is Oct. 21. Find out how you can help. Pages 8-9