Family Access Network helps folks in need in Sisters

The holidays are a very difficult time of the year for people who seek assistance from Sisters Family Access Network (FAN).

FAN advocate Shawna Bell told The Nugget that in addition to food issues these people "struggle with 'I'm not going to be able to afford gifts for my children.' It's kind of a sad time for some of these families."

To help those who seek FAN assistance through the season, Bell distributes bags of hygiene products such as dish, laundry and bath soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, paper towels and toilet paper.

"A lot of people don't know that people on food stamps can't buy hygiene items with their food stamps," Bell said.

Bell's hope is that by supplying these people with necessary hygiene products, they will have a little bit of discretionary income to buy something special.

She said, "I try to do things to offset some of their expenses during this time of year."

Bell also wants to insure that those who come to FAN for assistance will have a Thanksgiving meal. A few days ago Bell received a $100 donation with the directive "Feed as many people as you can for Thanksgiving." From this donation, Bell is providing three full Thanksgiving dinners to three selected families. She said that each family will receive "a turkey, stuffing, a big bag of potatoes, gravy - I get them the foil pan - so that everything is as easy as possible."

Bell said that the Free Thanksgiving Day Feast that Sisters Community Church is hosting is a tremendous service to the community (see related story, page 21). Bell explained that since Thanksgiving comes before the end of the month, anyone who is on food stamps will likely be out of them by Thanksgiving. The Kiwanis Food Bank is closed the week of Thanksgiving. Sisters Community Church's free Thanksgiving dinner fills both of these gaps.

"This is going to be amazing," Bell said. "I can send all of my families there that won't have access to Thanksgiving dinner."

Although Sisters Family Access Network (FAN) offices are housed in the Sisters School District's Administration Building at 525 E.Cascade Ave., Bell remarked that her offices in Sisters are unique, as they were not only set up to help school children but were also "set up as a community site." What this means is that Bell assists seniors, people with disabilities, people with medical needs, not to mention families seeking housing and utilities relief and children and adults with almost every need imaginable.

When families or individuals come to FAN seeking help with a particular problem, Bell said, "What FAN does is sit down and talk about what else."

Bell commented that FAN wants to find the root cause of the problem, whatever it is. Bell asks her clients, "Why can't you find housing? And do the kids need school supplies and, by the way, do they have clothing? Does the family need coats? Do the kids need coats?"

She then asks if the family is working with the Department of Human Services (DHS) and Adult and Family Services (AFS), as well as with all other available services.

"That's what FAN does," Bell said. "We're a referral agency,"

Last week Bell helped a 70-year-old woman who needed of a coat.

"I was chatting with her while she was trying on a coat trying to assess why couldn't she afford to buy her own coat and from that conversation came some medical situations and so we had a nice long chat and hooked her up to four different services," Bell said.

One of these was electricity assistance.

Bell remarked that, although FAN does not solicit donations, she receives many from community members, churches, Rotary, Kiwanis and other organizations that usually send a yearly check. Bell said that FAN receives a great deal of support from the Sisters community

Added to the yearly donations are contributions that private donors give throughout the year.

Bell said,"We use those for emergency funds. So I help folks with rent, and electricity, and prescriptions and glasses. This week alone, I paid for a prescription for a child, paid for a pair of glasses. I'm ready to pay for another pair of glasses, two doctor appointments, and these are all uninsured folks."

FAN now has 501c3 non-profit status, so contributions are tax deductible. FAN will be closed Wednesday through Friday, November 22-24 and again from Monday, December 18 to Tuesday, January 2. Normal hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Bell asks all to call ahead for an appointment at 549-0155.