||| FROM HILARY CANTY for ORCAS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION |||
As we enter into the Holidays, I want to send my deepest gratitude to all of you who have been so supportive throughout this year. The Orcas community continues to respond to the pandemic and subsequent economic crisis with compassion and creativity.
Your contributions to the Community Emergency Response Fund flow throughout the community, providing support for so many. We anticipate that the next few months might be the most challenging for our most vulnerable neighbors.
Currently, OPAL reports that 283 families were able to stay in their homes because we provided financial counseling or paid their rent or mortgage. In addition, there are 12 individuals being served in temporary housing by the Shelter Group. The Orcas Community Resource Center (OCRC) has seen client numbers rise 30% with 1158 clients served and 10,684 services provided between January – October 2020. Historically, there is an uptick in requests during the harsher winter months and they anticipate client total to exceed 2,000 by the end of 2020. The Food Bank customer base has tripled since March. They are now open three days a week and have greatly expanded the amount and quality of food available.
Our community is so fortunate to have such a strong safety net. It is not by chance. It takes boards, staff, volunteers and donors working together to enable these programs to double down and increase capacity to meet the rising needs. Your gifts made that possible. Thank you.
We will continue to provide funding as needed into 2021. The All In Washington match program runs through the end of this month and we anticipate that those matching funds will help take us through the spring. Hopefully, we can continue to support the most vulnerable of our neighbors.
I am so very grateful that this community has stepped up so generously to make it possible.
Wishing you good health and great joy throughout the Holidays and beyond.
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