Knutson + Casey recently teamed up with the Salvation Army to raise money for the new shelter opening in Mankato. Patrick Casey joined the News 12 This Morning news crew to discuss this fantastic event. He described just how important the mission of the Salvation Army is and why this shelter means so much to those who are less fortunate in our area.
Casey said that it is already getting cold outside, and those who have fallen on hard times need somewhere to stay that is warm. The 5k event took place on Saturday, November 2, at 10 a.m. at the Mankato Salvation Army. The registration price was $20 for adults and $15 for those 12 years of age and younger. People of all ages and abilities took place in the event.
Patrick Casey of Knutson + Casey wanted to point out just how many other organizations helped with this event. That includes Mankato Public Safety, who provided volunteers, American Family Insurance of Janesville, KEYC News 12, and more.
As the weather cools down, we need to be aware that homelessness is an issue that needs to be dealt with in Minnesota and in Mankato specifically.
“There are not enough shelter beds so they are out anywhere they can be in a safe place,” says Emma Podobinski, a social worker in the state. During the latest reporting year, there were more than 7,200 homeless Minnesotans, including 300 veterans. Children and youth under 21 make up more than half of the homeless population in Minnesota.
In Mankato last year, more than 1,000 people sought out emergency shelters, and 47% of those people were children under the age of 18.
Pinpointing the exact reasons for homelessness is not easy, and each person’s circumstances are different. One problem in Mankato is a shortage of affordable housing. Here, 36% of renters pay more than 50% of their income in housing. Blue Earth and Nicollet Counties rank worst in Minnesota for cost-burdened renters.
This is especially a problem in these two counties, where 14,000 people live at or below the poverty level. The combination of unaffordable housing is a large reason for the homelessness.
Knutson + Casey hopes that this new Salvation Army shelter will help address some of the issues faced in Mankato. This shelter can serve as a bridge from the streets to the resources a homeless person needs to get back on their feet.
Knutson + Casey has been proudly serving Mankato and the surrounding areas. They assist clients with a wide variety of legal matters, including:
Personal injury, including wrongful death, motor vehicle accidents, dog bites and defective medical devices
Knutson + Casey will continue to partner with the local government and other agencies to improve living conditions for each citizen of Mankato.