As they enter the homestretch of their largest annual fundraiser, City Union Mission officials are asking the community to help close the gap on their $6 million campaign goal through generous support. The Mission’s CELEBRATE HOPE: Reach Out to K.C.’s Poor and Homeless campaign began October 1, 2017, with the goal of raising $6 million by February 1, 2018. As of today, the Mission is still $434,143 short of their goal.
Funds secured from the four-month campaign represent about half of the Mission’s annual operating budget to meet the needs of Kansas City’s hungry, homeless and working poor throughout the winter months and into the new year.
“Our community has an incredibly compassionate heart and generous spirit, and I’m confident our friends and partners will continue to reach out to their neighbors in need through the final days
of this campaign.” – Executive Director Dan Doty
“This campaign is critical to the Mission’s everyday operations and our ability to provide services to the hundreds of homeless men, women and children who come to our doors each day,” said City Union Mission Executive Director Dan Doty. “Our guests depend on us for warm clothes, safe shelter, nutritious meals and spiritual support and guidance, and we can’t meet their needs without funds from this campaign. Turning away people in need due to lack of resources is a situation we don’t want to face and that’s why this campaign is so important.”
On a daily basis, the Mission shelters and average of 365 men, women and children and serves more than 720 meals to shelter residents and guests and hungry members of the community. Clothing, medical care and other essential services are provided to thousands of homeless and near-homeless individuals each year. The Mission expects those numbers to remain steady, if not increase, throughout 2018.
“We are asking folks to start this new year making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate by giving their best financial gift possible,” Doty said. “Our community has an incredibly compassionate heart and generous spirit, and I’m confident our friends and partners will continue to reach out to their neighbors in need through the final days of this campaign.”
Contributions toward the goal can be made online at cityunionmission.org or mailed to City Union Mission, P.O. Box 270107, Kansas City, Missouri 64127. Campaign updates, as well as information about City Union Mission’s full range of programs and services, are also available on their website.