By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The Family Crisis Center in Great Bend has long helped victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence. The organization is taking things a step further after converting its basement into a new shop for clients and those in need. The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon cutting for the shop, named Sara's Blessings in honor of a survivor. Crisis Center Executive Director Kylee Graves said it all started with an outpouring from the community.
"Families in the community who come and access our services are able to go down there for free, or we also created a referral form and sent it out to all the other social service agencies in town," she said. "If they have a family who is in need of clothes, hygiene items, household goods, they can send them to our office with that referral form and we will let them shop for free."
Sara's Blessings includes several rooms of donated items, including quilts and blankets, shoes, toys, and books, along with clothing and other necessities. Shoppers will be limited to two large bags of free items, per person, per month. The goal is to continue using donations to replenish the shop.
"So far, we've had an outpouring," Graves said. "I'm hoping we continue to have people willing to donate. It hasn't been an issue yet, but obviously, we just opened, so we're hoping the community continues to bring stuff here as they can."
Graves said volunteers will help operate the store and it would be a great opportunity for organizations that require volunteer service hours. The Family Crisis Center office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. After-hours visits to Sara's Blessings can also be arranged. To arrange a donation, call the Family Crisis Center at (620) 793-9941.
