FAN helps those in need in Sisters

People who get into a jam financially have been turning to Sisters Family Access Network (FAN) for years for help.

Hard times in Sisters are bringing more and more people through the office doors at the Sisters Schools Administration building. There, advocates Theresa Slavkovsky and Dawn Cooper help those in need find the services and aid they need.

"Basically what we've seen so far (this fall) is just a large number of families coming in for school supplies, school clothing and winter coats," Cooper said.

Operation School Bell, a program of the Women's Assistance League of Bend, provided school clothing for 74 Sisters school children, Cooper reported. Several Sisters women are involved in that program.

Fall is the beginning of the toughest time of the year for many Sisters Country families. Seasonal employment drops off and utility bills or bills for fuel increase as the chilly weather sets in.

"Between now and December, we'll start to see an increase in what we usually do," Cooper said.

What FAN usually does is provide assistance with utility bills as well as access to winter clothing.

For FAN's clients, making ends meet is a daily struggle.

"We have clients working a couple of jobs each," Slavkovsky said.

Others have lost jobs.

"We're seeing families who have never been in that position before - and it's not just one but both (breadwinners)," Cooper said.

Some families are pooling resources.

"They're moving in together," Cooper said. "A lot of folks are doubling up."

One area of high demand is hygiene products, which cannot be purchased with food stamps.

"A lot of people don't realize that," Slavkovsky said. "You can't buy those items with your Oregon Trail Card."

FAN keeps a stock of items on hand - from toothbrushes to toilet paper - but that stock ran out quickly this month.

Sisters Boy Scout Joe Grant and his mother, Sue, stepped up to help. Last Friday, the Grants collected hygiene items from customers outside Ray's Food Place, for donation to FAN. The effort was part of an Order of the Arrow service project to give back to the community through the Boy Scouts of America.

The previous week, local dentists provided adult dental care at a dental van brought in to the parking lot near the FAN office. This is a regular program funded through Sisters Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, Sisters Community Church and The Roundhouse Foundation.

For 4-1/2 hours, the dentists provided basic dental care to adults who otherwise would have no access to care. There is a $10 donation requested and Slavkovsky said the patients usually make the donation.

Many community members donate to FAN when they can - and everything helps.

"We have somebody from the Episcopal church who donates $1 per month," Slavkovsky said.

Cooper and Slavkovsky are casting a wary eye toward the future as the ripple effects of a bad economy and lost jobs start washing against more Sisters families.

"That's always a worry - when the unemployment (payments are) going to start running out for folks," Slavkovsky said.

According to statistics compiled by Cooper, 107 clients were connected to basic needs through FAN September 1-30. 

•Eighty-one connected to food (Kiwanis Food Bank);

•Seventy-three connected to clothing;

•Twenty-one shelter assistance;

•Thirty-three utility assistance;

•Thirty-eight have received hygiene;

•Ninety-six kids connected to school supplies;

•Twenty-three connected to dental services;

•Four connected to vision assistance;

•Four connected to medical/prescription assistance.

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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