FAN sees increase in client load

Hard times are lingering around the cabin door in Sisters and the agency that helps families in need connect with emergency goods and services is seeing their impact.

Sisters Family Access Network (FAN) is seeing a major increase in its client load. Advocate Dawn Cooper says clientele has doubled over this time last year, a phenomenon she attributes to the generally worsening economy.

"A lot of folks have just lost work," she said.

Few jobs are available in Sisters and those that are available in Bend and Redmond are often out of reach for people on the economic margins in Sisters. Many don't have reliable transportation, or they can't afford the gas to commute to a low-paying job.

"Folks are finding it difficult to even leave to find a job," Cooper said. "It only takes a couple of weeks to knock the wind out of your sails and set you back."

FAN steers those in need to resources that can help them. Advocates walk clients through paperwork to file for food stamps or the Oregon Health Plan. Some clients are eligible for programs that assist with utility or rent bills.

Food stamp applications are up 12 percent statewide, according to recent reports, and up more than 30 percent in Central Oregon.

"We're seeing a lot of new families this year," Cooper said.

In past years, FAN has run a holiday time "adopt-a-family" program to allow the more affluent to reach out to those in need. This year, the agency is just too busy to administer a program.

Cooper and FAN advocate Theresa Slavkovsky are steering those who want to help to the Kiwanis Food Bank to donate to the Christmas Food Share Program or to the fire district's Toys for Tots program.

"We're sending people that way to make sure we're all working together as a community," Cooper said.

To donate for food items, mail checks to the Kiwanis Food Share Program at P.O. Box 1296, Sisters, Oregon 97759. To donate to the Furry Friends Pet Food Drive, bring dry pet food to The Nugget office at 442 E. Main Ave. Cash donations are welcome and may be mailed to Furry Friends Pet Food Drive, P.O. Box 698, Sisters, OR 97759.

Pet toys and dog treats may also be dropped off at The Nugget office.

Gifts for children may be provided through the Giving Tree, which will soon be at Ray's Food Place. Donors may choose an ornament listing a child and purchase a desired gift to be delivered to Sisters Fire Hall, where gifts will be wrapped and distributed.

FAN is also seeing a steady stream of people coming in for winter coats donated by Columbia Sportswear. That program has helped 177 clients in the first quarter of this year.

FAN also provides school supplies through an annual drive.

"Our donations were down significantly this year," Cooper noted. She said that local churches stepped up to fill the gap.

Sisters Community Church is a major donor of hygiene supplies, which FAN also distributes, serving 64 clients recently. Such items may not be purchased with food stamps.

FAN also provides access to utility assistance for 105 clients and has helped 64 clients avoid eviction. Rent and utility assistance are provided through NeighborImpact.

Thirty-five clients have been steered into the Oregon Health Plan.

According to Cooper, FAN's mission is to be a one-stop resource for information about services and assistance for those in need, in an effort to smooth the path for people who are increasingly having a harder and harder time putting one foot in front of the other.

The Sisters FAN office is located in the Sisters School District Administration Building. For more information, contact FAN at 549-0155.

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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