A nonprofit in Haywood and Jackson counties uses an emergency fund to help vulnerable populations, but that account is dwindling as economic pressures are increasing the need.
There’s now a call to the public for donations to continue that assistance.
Mountain Projects’ emergency fund especially helps the low-income population, with many of them being elderly, handicapped or on fixed incomes.
“Without them, I couldn't make it. I don't know where I'd be,” Louise Green told News 13 Thursday, Dec. 8.
For Green, Mountain Projects is a lifeline, especially with inflation.
“It's terrible...I live on a fixed income because I was disabled, and then I came to them because I couldn't pay rent. Social security's not enough to live on,” she said.
This is where the community action agency, Mountain Projects steps in to help stabilize vulnerable populations in Haywood and Jackson counties.
Mountain Projects Executive Director Patsy Davis said critical needs come along 24-7.
“The weekend of Thanksgiving, I had a call for a homeless family that needed some immediate assistance,” Davis said.
She said high costs, from food to fuel, are taking a toll.
“Utility costs are up 28%. The heating fuel cost is much higher than they have been, even as much as $100 higher than the same assistance we were able to provide last year," Davis said. "We've had a tremendous amount of utility disconnects this year, probably a record number.”
Providing that assistance requires money from Mountain Projects' emergency fund. But meeting the high demand this year is draining it.
“We got very low. We were limiting assistance and we're having to tell people, 'No,'” Davis said.
It’s a position Davis says is off their mission.
“We want to have the resources not to turn somebody away when they're having a critical need,” she said.
Mountain Projects is stepping up its appeal for donations so it can continue its commitment to those needing help. A recently opened resale store near its Waynesville office is adding to the coffers.
“We continue to raise as much money as we can and it all goes right back out into our community,” Davis says.
It's an appeal to the spirit of giving this holiday season.
“If you have food in your refrigerator, if you have a car with gas in it, if you have a roof over your head, you're so much more blessed than many of the people that we see every day,” Davis said.
Louise Green is most appreciative of those contributing.
“That's good. I hope everybody helps them. It would sure help me,” she said.
To make atax-deductible contribution online, click HERE, or call Mountain Projects at 828-452-1447.
Mountain Projects is located at 2177 Asheville Road in Waynesville, and in Sylva at 154 Medical Park Loop.