EFAA: Making Ends Meet

 

Every client at EFAA brings with them a different story of why they turned to us. Jennifer is a recent college graduate just finishing up her masters degree, and despite her efforts cannot find a stable job. She has done everything from dog sitting, house cleaning, and helping out with the census before she found herself without food in her fridge. “I haven’t eaten because I didn’t want to end up on the streets; I needed every single penny I made this month to pay my rent.” With unemployment predicted to rise while the economy continues to recover, people like Jennifer are coming up all over the country.

When Jennifer arrives at EFAA she meets with a caseworker and then heads to the food bank to help her get through the next week. EFAA strives to be a safety net for those who are trying to stay on their feet through difficult times. For the last 92 years EFAA has formed strong partnerships throughout the community, and because of these relationships we have been successfully serving families in need.

Volunteers Keeping EFAA Going Through The Years

Every month EFAA highlights volunteers who go the extra mile to help the food bank run smoothly, this month we would like to formally thank and praise Max and Mary Kiburz. They have been volunteering at EFAA since the 1980′s, helping out at the ECHO House and as walkers in the food bank. In the last two years they have logged over 270 hours of work. EFAA is so grateful to have seasoned volunteers like Max and Mary. Even in the five months they spend in Arizona they still help out at the Food Bank in Maricopa. It is the memories, like when a young boy said to his mom, while walking through the food bank, “Mom, this is like shopping at king soopers!” that make Mary and Max return every year. EFAA thanks and praises them for the selfless giving of their time to those in need. Thank you Max and Mary Kiburz.

  

Thank you Boulder Valley Christian Church!

Last saturday Boulder Valley Christian Church donated their time to help improve EFAA’s shelter in Lafayette. Fixing up this facility has been a big priority for EFAA and with all the volunteers from the church we were able to tackle the big feat! Check out the Boulder Valley Christian Church for photos and ideas of ways you can volunteer at EFAA! We are always looking for new fresh faces to help. Click on the link below to watch the slideshow of all the work the church did with EFAA and to learn more about them!

BVChristian Church supports EFAA

 

Ending Hunger

USA Today produced an article about ending hunger in the United States. It is important to understand that hunger not only effects those in need directly, but it has a larger impact on the economy in the long run. Malnutrition can involve hospital visits that costs a lot of money. Money that people could be spending on food to combat their hunger. James D. Weill, the president of Food Research and Action Center, said, “What all this comes down to is that hunger and food insecurity not only are unnecessary in our wealthy nation, but they are vastly counterproductive to our nations goals.” Here in Boulder we can help by giving to those in need. EFAA’s food bank provides a variety of organic and brand name products that clients can choose from. It is important to understand that the only way Boulder can thrive as an inclusive community by helping one another lead healthy fruitful lives.

For more information visit: http://doc.mediaplanet.com/all_projects/5537.pdf

Vote Yes!

On the ballot this November is a 5 year initiative to increase funds for Boulder’s non-profit (human resource) organizations like EFAA. Throughout the economic downfall EFAA, and other organizations like us, have seen a dramatic decrease in the resources we can offer our clients. By voting YES on 1A you will be voting for a 5 year property tax mill levy that will close the gaps in our funds. Over the past few years the numbers of people seeking our help has increased while our funds have decreased. There has been an increase in demand for all human resources, like EFAA, but if this proposition does not pass then we could see a decrease in the number of safety resources that are provided in Boulder, County. Here in Boulder we pride ourselves in our efficient, and well organized, services we offer to the underprivileged in our community. With your vote we can continue this aid and improve it across the board from EFAA to the homeless shelter. Here at EFAA we appreciate any help you can offer and will be supporting a positive outcome for proposition 1A. Thank you for all of your support!

Attached are some positive TalkingPoints1 about 1A

Find Us On Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/Yeson1a#!/pages/Yeson1a/150034005020345?ref=ts–

Fire Victims

Fact: Less than 6% of the homeless are that way by choice.

EFAA has breathed a sigh of relief for the victims of the Four Mile Canyon fire. As residents are being let back into their homes others are finding themselves with ashes of what used to be their home. For now, organizations such as Boulder County, through the Victim Assistance Program, and the County Department of Housing and Human Services are places for people needing all kinds of help. In the future, if families are still without help we will look at their situation and determine whether they are within our parameters of assistance. If you believe you qualify for our assistance please call us at 303-442-3042. Also EFAA is working with the people in Gold Hill with ways they can raise money, and use their funds to meet community needs. As the days tick by after the devastating fire, EFAA is keeping all the victims in our minds and hearts. Best wishes to all.

EFAA

EFAA’s Volunteers Give All:

EFAA is blessed with great volunteers who donate their time and energy into keeping the food pantry and office running smoothly. For the past five months, Carolina Lasater has been guiding families in need through the food pantry, and helping the office run smoothly by helping at the front desk. If she’s not scheduling appointments or answering the phone, Carolina is in the intake office conversing face to face with the families that come through our door. Not only has she volunteered over 70 hours of her time at EFAA, but she also volunteers at the Immigrant Legal Center of Boulder County. Although Carolina donates much of her time to helping her community, she also finds time to ride her horses, listen to music, and enjoy the company of her family and friends. EFAA thanks Carolina for the joy and selflessness she brings to the food pantry, front desk, and intake office every week.

For Immediate Release

EFAA Receives Grant to Support our Basic Needs and Shelter Programs

[Boulder, Colorado] EFAA announced today that it has received a $100,000 Daniels Fund grant to support its Basic Needs and Shelter programs.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRLog (Press Release) – Aug 27, 2010 – [Boulder, Colorado] EFAA announced today that it has received a $100,000 Daniels Fund grant to support its Basic Needs and Transitional and Emergency Shelter programs.

EFAA (The Emergency Family Assistance Association) is the oldest, most comprehensive and reliable resources for emergency basic needs assistance in Boulder and Broomfield Counties. Established in 1918, EFAA helps the working poor, the unemployed, the homeless, near homeless sustain themselves so they can eventually move toward self-reliance. EFAA is a dignified safety net for those that want to remain self-sufficient and productive during a time when they are experiencing temporary economic challenges, often due to situations beyond their control.

“The grant will enable our agency to continue to provide much needed support to the most vulnerable families in need in our community” said Terry Benjamin, Executive Director.

Bill Daniels, a pioneer in cable television known for his kindness and generosity to those in need, established the Daniels Fund to provide grants and scholarships in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. For more information, please visit www.danielsfund.org

“With the recession, we have been met with more families looking to us for assistance, more families who have never asked for support before. These are challenging times for us all – this grant couldn’t have come at a better time. Last year we served approximately 4300 different households. We are thankful to have such great partners like The Daniels Fund in our community” says Terry Benjamin, Executive Director of EFAA.  

For more information about EFAA, call 303.442.3042 or visit www.efaa.org

Do A Little Dance….

Share a little Love… Get Down Tonight!

Get Down with us on November 5th – @ our Annual Celebration Charity Gala!

Tickets are available now online at: www.efaa.org under “News/Events” (Under Purchase Tickets)

EFAA's XIX Charity Celebration - "Stayin' Alive!"

A Mid-Summer Soiree

A Mid-Summer Soiree & Polo Match

Robin, David and Rhonda hard at work!

 A very special thank you to Jeff and Kim Leeper and The Colorado School of the Rockiesfor hosting this Soiree, it was a beautiful event and an exciting polo match! Also a special thank you to Robin Luff, Rhonda and J. David McCay for volunteering to organize the event.

Thank you to all who purchased tickets to this exclusive event at Celebration XVIII                     

We hope to see you at Celebration XIX- tickets for Celebration XIX are available for purchase online at: www.efaa.org (under news/events – “Purchase Tickets”)

Picture of Haystack Mountain