By Matthew Nash
Olympic Peninsula News Group
SEQUIM — Volunteers with Sequim Community Aid, a nonprofit helping prevent homelessness for 70 years, say they need help.
Donations are down while need is staying high, board members say.
“We’ve been in survival mode the last few months,” President Jim Davis said. “We feel like we’ve recovered somewhat, but we’re about a half-year back from where we should be.”
The organization’s budget shows a decrease in direct public support from just over $40,000 from September 2015 to May 2016, to $19,035 from September 2016 to May 2017.
However, volunteers provided nearly $42,200 last year for rent and utility bills and and nearly $38,900 this year.
Due to restructuring of the organization in 2016, board members said they did not distribute funds from July to September last year. They did refer people to the St. Vincent de Paul Society for assistance. To reach the society, call 360-683-2112.
“We’re not quite there and we’re still reconnecting with a lot of donors,” board Treasurer Kathy Fong said.
Board members said they’re seeing more competition for local dollars but that some organizations and individuals continue to give on a monthly basis. They also are applying for new grants, Fong said.
Volunteers have kept expenses consistently to around $2,000 a year including a cellphone, pager, storage unit and no office space, opting to work from their homes.
All of their funds come from local grants or donors.
Anne Notman, vice president of the organization, said they prefer to keep it local because paperwork is extensive for federal and state grants, which could lead to more costs in operating expenses.
Despite the financial struggles of the organization, board members said the Sequim Community Aid Toys for Sequim Kids in December was not affected by how many toys it provided.
Those seeking assistance from Sequim Community Aid can call the organization’s beeper at 360-681-3731. A volunteer returns the call to set up an interview. From there, two volunteers will meet at the residence, which must be within Sequim School District boundaries.
Volunteers ask about the need, whether it’s rent and/or utility assistance, income, expenses and the number of people in the house.
Then the volunteers will make a decision on helping and pay a certain amount to the landlord and/or utility company.
Board members said due to the decline in donations, they’ve reduced the amount they’ve provided to those in need.
Each household can receive assistance only once a year, and all families receive a list of available services in the area for housing to clothing to senior services.
Along with financial assistance, Sequim Community Aid organizers seek more volunteers.
Currently, 14 people split pager duty, which lasts one week.
Fong said Amazon patrons can sign up on Amazon Smile and select Sequim Community Aid, and half a percent of each purchase goes to the organization.
For support or questions about volunteering, call 360-681-3731
To make a tax-deductible contribution, send donations to Sequim Community Aid, P.O. Box 1591, Sequim, WA, 98382.
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Matthew Nash is a reporter with the Olympic Peninsula News Group, which is composed of Sound Publishing newspapers Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum. Reach him at mnash@sequimgazette.com.
