It must have been an insightful lot who chose the name Humanity House for the non-profit organization, because right now, they’re banking on donations to pull them through.
It’s been since the first of July that their funding through the Health Forward Foundation ran out.
Long-time volunteer Georgia Masterson said a confluence of factors has created their current predicament.
First, the Kansas City-based foundation changed its funding cycle from a fiscal year. The next round of awards will take effect in November.
Second, the foundation has changed its focus away from funding food relief efforts to those that provide help with housing and medical expenses.
Masterson feels confident Humanity House qualifies in those arenas as well but won’t know for certain until her application is approved.
Its answer will likely determine the future of the organization.
Last year, Health Forward awarded Humanity House $75,000. Of that, $40,000 went for the position of executive director, a part-time position, and a lesser amount for a part-time advocate position.
This cycle, Masterson has asked for more, knowing that they’ll need to offer more to attract an executive director.
What’s also compounding problems is that donations are down. Up through 2021, the center averaged $90,000 in annual donations. For 2022, it received $60,000.
For 2023, the center has received $29,000 in donations, including an anonymous $25,000 gift at the end of June.
She takes this reporter to its pantry.
The shelves are almost bare.
Though funds have dwindled, the demand has not.
In January, 91 families visited Humanity House asking for food.
