Emergency Assistance | Food Pantry | Good Samaritan House | Broadway Bargains Good Sam Kids Club | Senior Services | Additional Resources Emergency Assistance The Good Samaritan Center of Excelsior Springs provides assistance to Excelsior Springs and surrounding rural communities. Families and individuals are helped with food, shelter, utilities, transportation help, household and medical needs. Caseworkers are also engaged in helping clients find the causes as well as a solution to their distress. The goal is to encourage and to urge participants toward self-awareness. Caseworkers assist with budgeting, cooking and parenting as needed. Referrals to appropriate programs and organizations are an important part of the Center's assistance to people in trouble. The Center acts in the belief that most people achieve their goals if they have someone to believe in them. The GSC is unique in that each client receives one-on-one attention beyond the emergency assistance help to find out what they need to do to avoid crisis and get on with their lives. Many of our senior clients not only need help with basic necessities, but also need a place to come and talk to someone about what is happening in their lives. Emergency assistance is provided at the Center's administrative building, 108 South Thompson, corner of Thompson and Broadway. Food Pantry The food pantry is the heart of the Center's emergency assistance program. Persons who are having trouble making ends meet are encouraged to come to the Center for food so that their money can be used for housing, utility, and other needs. Continuing support received from area businesses include bakery items from Price Chopper, pizza from Pizza Hut, and pasta from the American Italian Pasta Company, donuts from Mr. Donuts and Daylight Donuts. The Food Pantry at the Center was able to provide 208,047 pounds of food in 2007 valued at $102,242. This was due to the donations from individuals, businesses, organizations, schools and churches throughout the area. In the summer months, many persons donate fresh produce from their gardens. Others donate personal items such as hand soap, shampoo, deodorant and diapers. Good Samaritan House Families at risk of homelessness with at least one employable adult can stay up to 12 months in Good Samaritan House. Families agree to follow a strict program of transitional living. People who may be dependent on social programs are taught the skills to become independent. They receive counseling in budgeting, goal setting, family relations, employment skills and citizenship. In return, they receive housing and support and leave the program with savings that allow them to move into secure housing and getting out of debt. PARTNERS was formed as a resource for GSH families in three specific areas: friendship, limited material help, and some labor in facility maintenance. If you are a member of a community group, club or church looking for an opportunity to help bring quality of life to a needy family, please consider becoming a sponsor. The transitional living program was begun in the spring of 1996 in a three-story apartment building that was donated to GSC. The building was completely renovated into three apartments. St. Luke's Church was the first partnering organization. To apply for housing or for more information, call Jennifer Chappel at 816-630-2718. GSC Thrift Store GSC operates a retail thrift store where people can buy good, used clothing and household items for a reasonable cost. Clients with no money are given vouchers for things they need. The store provides training in job skills for one to three Jewish Vocational Workers in the Title 5 Program. Profits from the business go to support GSC programs. Store is located in the upstairs front of the GSC, corner of Thompson and Broadway. Click here for more information on our store. Good Sam Kids Club Click here for Kids Club and other educational information. Senior Services We help our senior clients with food, medical help, our energy conservation workshop, housing, utility assistance, and filling out legal paperwork. We provide information on a home repair grant for those still owning their own residence. We help coordinate senior clients with a geriatric social worker from Collaboration Works and coordinate services for them with Division of Family Services. We work closely with In Home Health Aids to see that the elderly have their nutritional, medical and basic needs met. We encourage clients that own or rent to apply for the weatherization program that is offered through the Department of Housing and Community Development of Kansas City, MO. We provide volunteer opportunities to seniors. Senior Home Repair Program New services for senior citizens in Excelsior Springs have been added with the joint program between Good Samaritan Center and Clay County Senior Services. The Senior Minor Home Repair Program will serve Northern Clay County, including Excelsior Springs, Smithville, Trimble, Holt, Kearney, Lawson, Mosby and Prathersville. Click here for additional information. Stop Elder Abuse If you witness or know of abuse or neglect of the elderly, call the Elder Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-0210. Health Care for Seniors The Excelsior Springs Medical Center offers quality health care for seniors. Check out their outpatient clinics, convalescent center, residential care center and Lillian McDavid Independent Living Center online, plus search their Senior Online links at esmc.org. Additional Resources Additional resources in the areas of Housing Facilities and Landlords, Home Energy Management, Community and Government, and Help with Addictions is provided. Click here for additional resources.