Nikole Babb
nbabb@cherryroad.com
The Augusta Community Caring Center is hosting a fund drive in order to begin an endowment that will serve the center for years.
The Augusta Community Caring Center, located in the former Robinson Elementary School, now the Robinson Community Center, is a nonprofit organization providing food, clothing, toiletries, utility assistance and other supplies to Augusta and Butler County residents when they need it. The Caring Center is entirely run by volunteers.
Although the center is sponsored and supported by the Augusta Ministerial Alliance and community donations, some months are harder to get through than others financially and supply wise. An endowment fund would ease these challenges when they arise.
“The goal of the endowment is to provide a method for individuals and businesses to provide self-sustaining support for the Caring Center aside from the normal gifts, which are vital to our daily operation,” said Dave Crum, President of the Augusta Community Caring Center.
The endowment will be set up through the Central Kansas Community Foundation, but they first need to reach a goal of $20,000. Once the goal is reached, the account can be set up for the Caring Center, with cash as well as noncash, such as land, assets, stocks or bond, donation acceptance. This will allow those wanting to leave a legacy, the ability to do so.
In 2024 the Caring Center distributed $286,495 worth of food to 1,876 Augusta and Butler County residents. Crum says the demand for food has been on a steady incline with the rise in inflation.
All donations to the Caring Center allow for tax benefits if the donor qualifies. Of the cash donations given, 95% of them go directly to those in need.
“Fortunately, we’ve had generous support,” said Executive Director John Pilch. “This would provide ongoing funds for the center, plus you never know what the future will bring. This would ensure we have emergency funds if we needed them.”
Programming details
The Caring Center handles several programs, including The Emergency Food Assistance Program, (TEFAP), which administers a pantry food box to those who qualify as low-income in Butler County. The boxes are administered the fourth Saturday of each month from 8:30-10am.
Each household with an Augusta address is allowed to pick up to six pantry boxes of food each calendar year. Each box is designed to provide three meals for each member of the family for three days. If the household receives distributions from the special programs, those boxes do not count against the six pantry boxes. Special boxes for Thanksgiving and Christmas also do not count. Donated baked goods from Dillons and Walmart are free to anyone living in Butler County.
Each household with an Augusta address is eligible for up to $100 in utility assistance each calendar year as funds allow. To apply for this assistance, bring in your last utility bill. It is as simple as that.
All residents may utilize the free clothing options with no qualifications required. All clothing is sorted and washed in a sorting room before being put on display. All clothing is donated. The Caring Center has books for children and adults as well as inspirational material. They also have household goods such as dishware, small appliances and decorative items available for pick up. All items donated to the Caring Center are free to clients visiting.
How to support and donate
Donations to the Caring Center can be made during operating hours on Mondays from 4-6pm and 1-4pm on Wednesdays and Fridays. The Caring Center is located at 1301 Helen St in Augusta.
Monetary donations can be mailed to 1301 Helen Box 3, Augusta, KS 67010 or brought to the Caring Center in person.
Dillon’s shoppers can also link their Dillons rewards card to the Caring Center. When shoppers buy their own groceries, Dillons community awards program will give the Caring Center a rebate. The cost of our rebate is not added to the shopper’s purchase.
Volunteers are always needed at the Caring Center. To volunteer, email the Caring Center at caringcenter@att.net or call 316-775-3342 during operating hours.
To contact Dave Crum about the endowment, call 316-641-3500 or John Pilch at 316-734-4008.
