WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – A Wichita nonprofit that helps homeless people is asking the City of Wichita and Sedgwick County for $ 125,000. The organization, Humankind Ministries, says she needs the money to keep her emergency shelter open.
Humanity says it needs a quarter of a million dollars because so much spending has been diverted to homeless services in recent years, leaving the ministry in need of upgrading the shelter and d other essential elements.
When county commissioners voted on the donation, it was approved, but only after much debate.
David Dennis, District 3 Commissioner, explained, “We start our budget cycle in February of each year and we adopt a budget in August. This did not arise during our entire budget cycle.
Sarah Lopez, District 2 Commissioner, retorted, “We have to do everything we can to come together and fix some of these things or at least try to do everything we can to help this population. “
President Pete Meitzner ended up being the deciding vote after a 2-2 split from the other Commissioners. Before his answer, he made a few remarks about the city: “I want the city to come together and write a check now for $ 125,000 because it is responsible. This mayor and this council are in charge of the homeless.
Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple responded by saying the city has used $ 12.5 million this year for a wide variety of homeless services.
“I asked the staff to help us find ways to help humanity,” said Whipple. “And I think on the 16th we should vote to match that $ 125,000 fund so that we can be part of the solution as well.”
Humanity Ministries released a statement regarding the county donation: “HumanKind Ministries is grateful to have partnered with Sedgwick County to run our emergency winter shelters for men and women. Together, we will provide vital services to the most vulnerable residents of our region during the colder months of the year.
