The Prairie Godmothers members organized a “Summer Sweetness” event on Thursday, June 6, where they served Freddy’s Frozen Custard, complete with toppings, and collected donations for local partnership agencies. Members brought paper towels, toilet paper and women’s hygiene items.

The nonprofit group of local “women helping women” started in 2013 to help women, 18 years of age or older, living and/or working in Barton County who are experiencing an emergency hardship. Advisory Board member Regan Reif said the godmothers awarded 20 grants in 2023, including $1,000 for medical expenses, $1,839 for shelter and $6,400 for transportation. So far in 2024 they have awarded $500 for medical expenses, $1,000 for shelter and $1,000 for transportation.

In 2020, Prairie Godmothers started the WAND (Woman Achieving New Direction) Award, a needs-based, financial assistance grant providing funds to a woman who is accepted or enrolled in a course or courses at Barton Community College. The applicant should have a personal goal of financial independence or job advancement through education.

Donations to the Prairie Godmothers Funds go to a permanent endowment fund. Checks for tax-deductible donations can be mailed to Prairie Godmother Funds, Golden Belt Community Foundation, 1307 Williams St., Great Bend, KS 67530. Make checks payable to GBCF and note Prairie Godmothers in the memo line.

Anyone woman experiencing an emergency hardship who meets eligibility requirements may reach out to an area non-profit agency, school, church or government entity and ask if they are willing to complete an application for Prairie Godmothers Fund on her behalf. Learn more at goldenbeltcf.org/grants.