Soon, many households will receive a check from the IRS to lessen the impact of COVID-19 on our lives. Some are financially secure, and home is a safe place. That’s not the reality for others, and that’s why we’re encouraging those who can to donate their payment to address urgent community needs.
West Slope CARES is a donor-led campaign to stimulate increased local giving to ensure access to food, shelter and safety for all during the pandemic. We’re powered by our Community Foundation, which will direct 100% of your donation to West Slope communities in our seven-county region.*
Here’s why we’ve chosen to support these three areas of basic needs.
FOOD Access to food is particularly urgent for people who are poor, have mobility limits or lack kitchen facilities. Meanwhile, service providers face new distribution challenges and can better use cash for purchasing bulk supplies versus collecting food donations.
West Slope CARES contributions support food pantries, meal deliveries and child nutrition.
SHELTER Unhoused people must deal with stressful crowding in overnight shelters, risk harassment for camping outside, or crash where the host’s own housing situation is often unstable. Using services requires travel across the city. And public places for daytime hygiene, access to the internet and simply relaxing are off limits.
West Slope Cares will supplement housing aid efforts with an emphasis on people whose daily living needs are compounded by homelessness and marginal housing.
SAFETY With increased job loss and economic pressures, domestic abuse toward women and girls escalates. Children are especially vulnerable when schools and other programs close, cutting them off from contact with adults who can help. Isolation also worsens mental health problems and increases the risk of self-harm, especially substance abuse and suicide.
West Slope CARES will support programs to reduce domestic abuse, suicide and addiction relapse.
GIVE How to use your federal payment is a private choice, but whatever you decide, we urge you put the money to work as purchases and donations that benefit the local economy.
You can donate in any amount now and optionally designate a county to benefit from your gift.
Or mail a check payable to Western Colorado Community Foundation with “West Slope CARES”+ county* name in memo line to: WCCF PO Box 4334, Grand Junction, CO 81502
*Mesa, Rio Blanco, Garfield, Eagle, Delta, Montrose, Ouray (choose from seven counties served by the Western Colorado Community Foundation.)
