Local shelter welcomes the homeless
By Lora Cornell Special to the Kansan
Edith Hlyton, 52, and her family spend their days walking up and down Massachusetts Street. When the Hlytons get tired they go to the public library. However, instead of going home when the library closes, the family finds a place to sleep at the Salvation Army homeless shelter.
"We walked for days, Hlyton said." We had no place to go and no money to do anything with."
Hlyton's family walked to Lawrence from Denver.
Hilyton and her family are a small part of Lawrence's 913 homeless people. But there is room for only 50 people at the shelter.
Capt. George Windham, director of the Salvation Army shelter, said that anyone
who was homeless could stay at the shelter. The only rule is that those who are drunk cannot come in. This is why the shelter is never overcrowded, even in the cold winter months.
"That would be great if we ran out of room," Windham said. "That would mean more homeless people would feel comfortable here."
He said that a large number of the homeless have drinking problems. He said that they use what money they have to buy alcohol. Once they are drunk, they must spend the night on the streets, usually in an alley.
The homeless who stay the night at the shelter agree that the no-drinking regulation is a good one. James, 36, who asked that his last name not be used, has been homeless for five months. He said that he enjoyed the evenings he spent at the shelter. He said
the staff was supportive of those who helped themselves.
"They have some stiff rules—no drinking, no drugs," he said. "That's for the best. If an individual is drinking every day, his life is unmanageable."
James said he was evicted from his apartment because he could not afford to pay rent. He had to sleep on the streets because of his drinking problem.
James said staying at the shelter was safer than sleeping on the streets. He said that you needed street knowledge to ensure your safety outside the shelter.
"You have to know who you are dealing with," he said. "You can't trust anybody."
James said he has had a drink with someone he trusted, only to wake up to find his wallet empty.
Hlyton said she did not view Lawrence as
dangerous for the homeless. She has spent days on the streets here but not nights.
Hylton's daughter, Evelyn Lane, 24, said that Lawrence needs a shelter that is open 24 hours a day. The shelter is open from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. She said she felt welcome at the shelter, however.
The Salvation Army earns 65 percent of its annual budget during the winter months. The organization accepts money, food, clothing and items such as cots, blankets and pillows. Windham said the donations were immediately used to help the homeless.
Hlyton sat on her cot and looked around the shelter.
"I didn't used to give money to the Salvation Army, because I didn't think they helped people," she said. "Now that I've been here, I plan to help out."
Community kitchen serves meals to hungry in Lawrence
By Manny Lopez
Special to the Kansan
Grumble, mumble and tumble.
Your midsection shakes and shudders with each roar. All the while everyone around you giggles at the guttural sounds coming from your stomach. What they are not aware of is that you have not eaten in two days because you are down on your luck.
Thanks to the Lawrence Interdenominational Nutrition Kitchen, you do not have to go hungry. This organization, commonly referred to as LINK, provides meals to those in need every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, and the last Friday of every month.
"No, there is not starvation in Lawrence, but there is hunger," said Ed Dutton, secretary of the LINK board of directors.
In its nine years of existence, LINK has served more than 115,000 meals to the needy.
"We don't ask any questions, and everyone who comes eats until they are full," said Pam Casagrande, LINK board of director's president.
Each week volunteers organize to serve anywhere from 65 to 100 meals per day. Volunteers from area churches alternate days for preparing and serving food. LINK was founded Feb. 14, 1985. It served only six
people the first night.
Local grocery stores often donate food. Dillons stores, Alvin's IGA and Checkers foods routinely provide food such as bread that would otherwise be thrown away. Students from the University of Kansas volunteer their services to the kitchen.
Recently, the KU Homeless Coalition and members from the Alpha Delta Pi sorority repainted and cleaned the facilities at the dining area in the First Christian Church, 1000 Kentucky St.
Although the organization's first mission is to provide meals to "guests," Dutton said a second goal is to provide a social atmosphere.
"Overall, the best thing is to see what a community can do when it pulls together for the common good." Casagrande said.
This Thanksgiving, LINK provided a traditional Thanksgiving meal from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and delivered carry-out meals to the homebound.
LINK volunteers work throughout the year. During the holidays when the Salvation Army is closed, LINK volunteers will work to try to ensure that everyone has a hot meal accessible to them everyday, Casagrande said. LINK is able to provide its services through fund raisers and donations. All contributions should be addressed to Casagrande.
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COMMUNITY • *K-you* • December 8, 1993