The Mountain Resource Center is a vital resource along the 285 Corridor. We provide a food pantry, emergency housing and utility assistance, health and wellness classes, workforce services, veterans’ services, case management, and wraparound services to our mountain communities. This year, we have also opened a high-quality half-day preschool program, one of the only half-day programs in the area, fulfilling the promise of universal pre-K in our area.
Need in our mountain communities is often masked by high property values and impressive estates, but over the past year, 62% (821 households) of those we served were at or below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and an additional 26% (344 households) had incomes between 100% and 200% of FPL. Our services are a lifeline for our struggling mountain families, and we are focused not only on helping people stay afloat but also assisting individuals and families to find the tools and resilience to gain independence.
Our Food Share Market and Mobile Food Share programs distributed 310,361 pounds of food during that same time, and we provided $210,128 in urgently needed housing and utility assistance. We also provided 1,600 case management services to 379 people and ultimately served 1,308 households, including 733 children.
When we use the word “we” here, we don’t just mean our staff or our amazing volunteers. We mean you, too. None of this would be possible without your generous donations and support! Thank you for helping our neighbors in need along the 285 corridor!