Grant provides $25,000 to help emergency programs

Emergency food services and other safety-net programs are getting a $25,000 boost in Glenn County.

The Sierra Health Foundation granted the county's Human Resources Agency its request for help.

The money comes from "a responsive grant program," according to Christine Voppi, Deputy Director of Community Action. The organization "works with health issues and the basic fundamental things to living life."

Most of the money — $14,000 — "will primarily be used for food. There've been such huge increases in people accessing the food bank," said Kimberly Vasco, an administrative services officer.

More than 1,000 people received emergency food subsidies during the first quarter of 2010 and another 1,178 where helped at the county's two food banks, according to agency data.

Between 2008 and 2009, food banks saw participation increase by 63 percent. Comparing the first quarters of 2009 and 2010, there was another 18 percent increase, Human Resources reported.

Also getting a boost is a program that provides emergency motel vouchers. The $5,000 will allow the agency to provide 360 beds in a year, Voppi said.

One thousand dollars will go toward clothing vouchers and another $1,250 will go for bus tickets, she added.

"The balance of funds ($3,750) will pay for staff to the run the program," Voppi said.

With more people needed help, Glenn County is "not out of the woods yet," Vasco said. "We'll probably go through some economic pain."

"We have yet to see movement towards a real improvement in our area."

Based in Sacramento, the Sierra Health Foundation is a philanthropic organization that serves Northern California, including the Glenn County Human Resources Agency and the Colusa-Glenn-Trinity Community Action Partnership, one of 21 human service organizations in the 13 counties the foundation helps.

Glenn County has partnered with the foundation for almost three years, Human Resources officials said.

For 25 years, the foundation has been committed to its vision, "a healthful life for Northern California," by working collaborative with local organizations "to improve the health and stability of rural communities," officials said.

Human Resources and the Colusa-Glenn-Trinity Community Action Partnership provide rental assistance, homeless prevention, housing rehabilitation, energy improvements, food banks and services for victims of crime, abuse and neglect.