When my brother died suddenly, I found myself being the one in need.

Being the sole provider in my household while my husband recovers from a serious injury, the cost of traveling for an out-of-state funeral felt impossible. That’s when my fellow admins of the McPherson Community Facebook group stepped in. They reached out to members of the group on my behalf, and in true McPherson fashion, this town showed up. Not just with donations, but with compassion.

That moment reminded me why we do what we do.

Alongside Kim Harrison, Molly Burke, Somer Van Pelt, and Tricia Warring, I help manage a Facebook group that began as a space for posting town events and happenings. Over time, it became much more. It became a last resort support network for McPherson families who have nowhere else to turn.

We don’t promote ourselves or organize fundraisers. What we offer is simple and quiet. When someone has exhausted every resource, such as churches, Churches United in Ministry (C.U.M.), employer assistance, or food banks, they reach out to us, and we step in.

It’s a grocery run for a family who missed a couple of days of work due to being sick, so their paycheck is short. It’s $50 toward a utility bill before the lights are shut off. It’s rent for a mother fighting a battle most of us can’t imagine. It’s formula or food for a child with medical needs when both parents are working during food bank hours.

These aren’t faceless stories; they are our neighbors.

Every request is verified, and we guide families to local support systems first. Sometimes that’s all they need. However, when those systems fall short due to a lack of funding or any other reason, we post the need. Every time we do, this community answers. Again and again, McPherson steps up.

We’ve helped with rent, groceries, and utilities. We’ve passed along gift cards, bags of groceries, hot meals, monetary donations, and kind words. No one is shamed for asking. Many who’ve received help later come back to give. People dig deep, not out of pity, but out of empathy. They remember what it felt like to be in that place, and they offer what they can.

There are weeks we don’t receive a single request. At other times, six families need help over the span of a few days. We don’t always succeed in getting them what they need, but we will always try.

This isn’t charity; it is community. It is a reminder that no one should face hard times alone.

To every person who has given, delivered a meal, covered a bill, or simply offered encouragement, thank you. You are the silent heroes holding this town together.

And to anyone wondering if small acts matter: I promise you, they do.

I’ve lived it.