SRS free services offered

LARNED — The Pawnee County Health Department, 715 Broadway, will be the site of free Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) sponsored by the Kansas Benefit Bank.
Trained Kansas Benefit Bank counselors from Catholic Social Service will be available from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday, March 24, to assist with SRS applications for food assistance, medical assistance, low-income energy assistance, cash assistance and child care assistance. Free federal and state income tax filings for simple filings will also be available.
For information, call Tashina Diaz or Theresa Arnold at 1-800-794-9756; or the Pawnee County Health Department at (620) 285-6963.

Low income energy assistance

The Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) is accepting applications for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) through March 31.  Applications must be received in the LIEAP Processing Center or an SRS office by close of business on March 31.
Funding for the LIEAP program is provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Community Service through the Federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
LIEAP provides an annual benefit to help qualifying households pay winter heating bills. Individuals with disabilities, elderly persons, and families with children are the primary groups assisted.  So far this year, 40,095 qualifying households have been provided an average benefit of $262.97.
To qualify, applicants must be responsible for direct payment of their heating bills. Income eligibility guidelines are set at 130 percent of the federal poverty level. Persons with incomes within the following guidelines may receive LIEAP benefits:
The level of benefit varies according to household income, number of persons living at the address, type of heating fuel, and utility rates.
LIEAP applications are available at local SRS offices or by calling toll-free 1-800-432-0043. Visit www.ks-energy-assistance.com to apply on-line.

Larned Fishing Pond

LARNED — The Larned Fishing Pond was stocked with trout Tuesday. The Larned Fishing Pond is located south of the city by the flood levee. Take Santa Fe Street south and head west,
Larned City Manager Don Gaeddert said the fishing pond is open to the public. State fishing licenses are required for anyone 16 years to 64 years of age and you must purchase a trout stamp if you are going to fish for trout.
The city was recently approved for a Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks grant to help fund a bathroom facility at the fishing pond. The prefabricated vault is well ventilated, according to Don Gaeddert. The Quivira National Refuge and Larned Country Club also utilizes the prefab bathrooms, according to Geaddert.
“They have worked out really well,” he said.
 
The Quilting Bees

LARNED — Sixteen members met March 22 at the Presbyterian Church and celebrated Diann Morell’s birthday. Thank you notes for prayer quilts were from Mary Weber’s sister, David and Rhonda Hales, Sheri and Helen Collins, Debby Dugan, Donna Stejskal and Randy Rainbolt.  Thank you to Karen Hadley for the donation of patterns and to all those who have donated money for batting for the 85 plus prayer quilts completed.  President Ann Hicks designed the quilt displays at Jordaan Library for the National Quilter’s Month which is now available for public viewing.
Discussion was held concerning the June 4 Quilter’s Celebration which will include an old fashioned quilting bee in the afternoon. The public is welcome to come and try their skill in hand quilting.  The next regular meeting will be April 5 with the fat quarter drawing to be reproduction 30’s fabric.
Show and Tell participants were Colleen Wolf, Christmas wall hanging, Susan Gray, hot pink and burgundy “Heart” quilt with matching pillow case; Lavada Kraft, two blocks of the current project; Ann Hicks, Easter placements; and Alice Clapsaddle, John Deere baby quilt, Java wall hanging and rooster wall hanging.