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Coalition planning fundraiser
Published November 5, 2009
LAKE JACKSON — Cheryl Moore, 19, sat in River of Hope’s waiting room with her 6-month-old daughter because, for the first time, she and her boyfriend, Trysten Tenney, were unable to pay their rent.
Moore has never used River of Hope’s services, but after she lost her job and Tenney’s hours were drastically reduced, they needed the help, Moore said. To them, the organization was a life-saver.
River of Hope is a coalition of 19 churches from the Brazosport area, said Melanie Calvin, executive director. They help those in financial need with rent or utility payments, she said.
Since the group began in 2007, its has helped more than 600 families, providing more than $200,000 worth of financial support, Calvin said. The group also offers those in need Bibles, prayer, counseling and help finding other organizations that could serve their needs, she said.
River of Hope is funded through church and private donations as well as grants from the federal government, Calvin said.
However, the declining economy has resulted in fewer donations, Calvin said. Meanwhile, the need for rent and utility help has increased because of Hurricane Ike and the faltering economy, she said.
River of Hope has had to turn a few people away and would like more people to know about the help they offer, Calvin said. The federal grant they currently are using to help people soon will run out, she said.
The organization is planning its first fundraiser this weekend in hopes of making up the difference between supply and demand. The fundraiser will be 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the Sonshine Books parking lot in Lake Jackson, 120 Circle Way.
River of Hope is selling barbecue brisket plates for $8 and also will sell baked goods. Residents can pre-purchase a meal at the Dream Center, 796 Brazosport Blvd. in Clute, or at Willow Drive Baptist Church.
Those interested in receiving help from River of Hope can go to the Brazoria County Dream Center between 9 a.m. and noon or 1 and 2 p.m. every Wednesday. The group has a limited amount of funding each week, and it is given out on a first-come, first-serve basis, Calvin said.
“The line gets pretty long, pretty fast,” she said.
To qualify, the applicant must be a resident of the Brazosport ISD service area and have had a crisis within the past four months, Calvin said. Problems include a broken car, income or expense change and being laid off from work. In each case, the applicant must show documentation that this took place, she said.
“We want to help people who really are in need,” Calvin said.
If residents who have lost a job need assistance, they must be registered with an job search agency and be actively looking for employment, she said.
Though Moore and Tenney are grateful for the help, they plan on never having to use the service again, Tenney said.
“I’ll find a way,” he said.
But until they have the means to pay the bills, the couple are happy River of Hope enables them to make it to the next month, he said.
Katlynn Lanham is a reporter for The Facts. Contact her at 979-237-0150.
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