I would like to nominate the Douglas/Elbert Task Force for the community grant yourhub is offering.

The Task Force is giving, caring organization which has done so much to assist those in need, of whom there are many, in this "affluent" area. It is staffed by a dedicated group of people as well as a large number of volunteers who work in the Thrift Store, the office, the Food Bank and wherever else they are needed.

A Food Bank, Thrift Store and service programs are in operation which provided emergency assistance to 12,457 clients in 2006. Half of these were children. The hungry are fed by the Food Bank which distributed 308,000 pounds of food in 2006 and fed over 10,500 clients.

Clothing, household items or furniture at low or no cost are provided through the Thrift Store. In 2006 over 12,300 items of clothing or household goods were given to needy families.

Emergency assistance such as short term rent, mortgage and utility assistance, medication assistance, overnight lodging for victims or stranded motorists is provided through the service programs. $165,000 in utility assistance and over $73,000 in rent or mortgage assistance was provided in 2006.

More and more people are finding themselves in a position to have to ask for help and obviously, with the growing needs the Task Force is in need of larger facilities to handle them as well as funds.

I would invite you to visit the Thrift Store at 416 Jerry Street in Castle Rock as well as the offices and Food Bank located across the alley from the store.

Sincerely,

Joan Sjostrom

Volunteer and Board Member