Salvation Army emergency assistance in Cass County.
Financial aid, though limited, may be available as a last resort from the Salvation Army of Cass County. While it is possible to get some money for paying rent or an energy bill, much more likely will be the charity providing basic needs. This can range from food to referrals to after school care for children or the Adopt a Family Christmas toy program.
Any assistance is only available to people from Cass County or the city of Harrisonville. They will need proof of residency for all household members. However anyone may be supported, as the faith based charity does not discriminate based on age, gender, or religion. Applicants will need proof of income as well as details on who else they contacted for financial help.
The Salvation Army is one of the communities leading social service agencies. Dozens of people from Harrisonville and nearby towns call upon them per week. While many can't be helped for a myriad of reasons (such as their income is too high, lack of resources, etc.) the workers at the Salvation Army can always still offer referrals to other charities or even link the client to DHS offices. So aid may still be arranged.
Grants may be issued as a form of financial assistance. However this is not the main purpose of the Cass County Salvation Army. When they can help, there may be money for back rent, energy or utility bills, propane, medications and more. The funds will be sent to the company/vendor in questions, and not the family seeking help. This helps ensure the legitimacy of the emergency aid program.
In some cases, to help lessen risk, the Salvation Army may issue a loan for paying certain expenses or they will require the applicant to give back to the community. This may include volunteering at the local thrift store or another non-profit. This is yet another way to ensure that the client is doing their part to receive funds.
Cass County Salvation emergency food as well as hot meals are used to feed the poor. In some instances volunteers will deliver a meal locally to the home bound. These clients often include senior citizens, the disabled, and generally the home bound who can't shop or prepare food on their own.
The pantry is client choice. This often empowers the person to select just what they need, and many families feel better about this model. It is also recommended to bring boxes/bags to load the groceries into.
Partnering with agencies such as the Red Cross of Missouri, the Cass County Salvation Army can help in a disaster. They often respond before many other groups. It is never surprising to see the Red Shield handing out water, serving a meal, and providing a listening ear.
Additional social services are administered to clients, some of which can help break the cycle of dependency. Examples of other assistance programs are as follows.
-Christmas toys for children as part of Adopt a Family.
-Free Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter food baskets for existing clients.
-Case management, including advice and referrals.
-Summer camp for students, recreational activities for the elderly, and information on home care.
- Harrisonville Salvation Army thrift store resells items to the public.
-Information on local utility company payment plans that may be beneficial.
The staff will have information on rehabilitation services too. People in Cass County that are batting a substance abuse can be referred to a center, or there is help for ex-prisoners too such as career counseling or housing. Some of this aid is part of the Pathways of Hope project. This support is also combined with spiritual counseling to help the client get back on the correct path with their life.
Vocational as well as career counseling is often combined with the support above. If a resident of Cass County is destitute, they may need support to end the cycle. Salvation Army staff can offer computers at their center for applying to jobs, provide free clothing for an interview from the thrift shop, and maybe even a bus pass to get to a job for a certain number of days.
To volunteer, or donate to the organization, call the thrift store at (816) 884-2200 or dial (816) 380-3505 for social services. The main center is at 1799 E Mechanic St, Harrisonville, MO 64701. There are many ways to both give back or to receive help.
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