Kansas Athletics Donates, Serves Dinner at Lawrence Community Shelter

Dec. 8, 2010

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

As guests at the Lawrence Community Shelter listened and cheered Jayhawk Radio Network announcers Bob Davis and Chris Piper’s description of the men’s basketball team’s drive to victory during the second half of Tuesday night’s game against Memphis, Kansas Athletics staff members were helping deliver dinner for the 51 people at the Shelter.

As part of its Jayhawks Give Back department-wide community outreach program, Kansas Athletics has worked with the Lawrence Community Shelter’s staff to identify its biggest needs. In November, Kansas Athletics donated 21 storage bins. And last night, Kansas Athletics donated a dinner (catered by HyVee) that included salad, lasagna, fried chicken, brisket, turkey, ham, baked potatoes and cookies.

“On behalf of the staff and guests at the Lawrence Community Shelter, I thank Kansas Athletics for its support,” said Dianne Huggins, an administrator at the Lawrence Community Shelter. “The storage bins were a blessing to those who have been living out of a plastic bag. Each one is identified with the owner’s name and sits neatly by their bedsides. Many would not notice or understand the pride in having a personal space in a homeless shelter that is neat and tidy. It truly makes a difference in people’s everyday lives.

“As for dinner, having a variety of choices was just fantastic. It was described by one person as ‘awesome’.”

The Lawrence Community Shelter, located at 214 W 10th St, is the only emergency homeless shelter serving Lawrence and Douglas County. Its mission is to provide safe shelter, comprehensive services and programs that provide a path to a positive future for people experiencing homelessness and who are at risk for homelessness.