It’s no question that Lee’s Summit Social Services’ busiest time of year surrounds the holiday season. However, the holiday season in 2016 came packed full of an unprecedented demand surrounding dire circumstances.
The executive director of Lee's Summit Social Services said the community stepped up in an unprecedented way.
"We got a call and somebody said, 'Can you help?' And our answer is yeah,” said Matt Sanning, Lee's Summit Social Services executive director.
A tragic apartment fire on November 14 off 291 Highway killed one person and displaced 20 others. Some families lost everything.
"It was huge. Yeah we really have never been asked to do anything on this large of scale,” said Sanning. "The most important thing was to make sure no one was homeless for the night."
One person affected by the fire even pleaded on Facebook, saying in part, “I hope and pray the Lee’s Summit/KC communities will step up to help.”
And step up they did.
"We reached out to our community contacts for couches, beds, clothes, for food and for monetary support to pay for the hotels,” said Sanning.
Donations came rolling in quickly.
"The food distribution was right about 70,000 pounds this month alone,” said Sanning.
There were enough monetary donations to cover 150 bed nights, and enough donations to meet all basic needs for all 20 people who were displaced, including food, clothing, housing and, in some cases, jobs.
"I was panicking. Where are we gonna go? What are we gonna do?" said Elaine Bailey. "The journey has been rough. We lost a good friend."
Bailey and her husband James lost their home to the fire. However, they were given enough money for a hotel for a month until they could find their new home in Grandview.
"They're pouring their hearts out. They're helping others. And that's what we're supposed to do in this world. We're supposed to help one another. And I appreciate everything they have done,” said Bailey.
Sanning said the whole experience is a great reminder of the caring culture that exists in Lee’s Summit.
"It's a very expensive time of year but the community responded like the community always seems to respond, which is, 'How can we help and what can we do to make this manageable?’” he said.
Lee's Summit Social Services is still collecting donations for all those affected by the fire. If you would like to help or donate in any way you can call 816-525-4357 x101.
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Josh Helmuth can be reached at josh.helmuth@kshb.com
