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Now more than ever: Nonprofits facing tough times
They help the community, now they need the community's help
Nonprofit organizations at the South Shore are facing the unwelcome prospect of reducing services or limiting enrollment in programs as they are being caught in the economic crunch.
Karen Houser, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe, said all the nonprofit organizations in town are struggling.
“All those pieces fit to complete a puzzle, and when those pieces start falling off, we’re in trouble,” Houser said.
Anna Richter, Lake Tahoe Women’s Center development director, agreed.
“All of our clients need the support of all the different agencies in town,” Richter said.
Houser said attendance at the Bijou Community School location is between 100 and 120 children, up from 70 last year.
Attendance has increased for three years, but because the club’s budget is down 30 percent, Houser said the organization’s board might have to cap enrollment.
“Just like everyone else, we want to keep the club alive,” Houser said.
Richter said the Women’s Center is facing $100,000 in budget cuts.
“Every donation we receive helps fill the gaps left by the cuts,” Richter said. “That way our clients won’t experience a lack in service.”
South Lake Tahoe’s Bread & Broth needs donations, as well as volunteers.
“We’re all stretched,” said Diane Weidinger, South Lake Tahoe’s Bread & Broth director. “We’re hoping the community can see our need and respond.”
Donations at the Tahoe Community Church food pantry are up, said Kathy Pavich, Thanksgiving meal organizer.
The church provides fixings for people to cook their own Thanksgiving meal, which includes a turkey, gravy, potatoes, cranberry sauce, pies, stuffing and rolls.
“It makes a difference for people,” Pavich said. “We see a lot of hungry people in trouble.”
On Monday, the food pantry had 172 donated turkeys. Whittell High School also donated 1,110 canned-good items collected through its food drive.
The number of people who need help has increased, Pavich said. Usually the group serves 30 to 40 households. Now they’re serving 73 households.
Alissa Nourse, Tahoe Youth and Family Services executive director, said the group won’t receive its anticipated $150,000 from the county to fund the Wraparound program — a program that works with families to try to prevent children from being removed from the homes.
“We’re going to try really hard to keep it,” Nourse said.
Other services have already been cut, Nourse said. For example, TYFS cut down on services for families who haven’t been ordered into programs by the courts.
“That’s the saddest part,” Nourse said. “These people are seeking true prevention and we can’t serve them at the moment.”
The organization has filled holes left by other entities that had funding issues. For example, when the county cut its family planning services, TYFS expanded its family-planning hours.
Many organizations depend on government funding for their services.
The Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe has had government funding for all of its 17 years. The club has an After School Education and Safety grant, which they’ve re-applied for. If attendance is decreased too much, they could lose the grant, Houser said.
The club partners with other entities, such as the El Dorado County Health Department Drug and Alcohol Division and the Lake Tahoe Unified School District.
Because of the funding shortfall, Houser said the organization is reaching out to the community more than before. One example is the Dream Home raffle, which appeals to full-time South Shore residents and second-home owners.
The club needs to sell at least 7,001 tickets to give away the home, on South Upper Truckee Road, and at least 3,000 tickets to award the $100,000 cash prize.
If fewer than 3,000 tickets are sold, the prizes will not be given away, and tickets will be refunded.
Nourse said TYFS has a number of holiday fundraisers: Christmas cards that are sent to people when a donation is made in their name, entertainment books and Tahoeopoly. The group is collecting gifts for older teens and other donations such as toilet paper, underwear or socks.
The Women’s Center accepts donations, and has a Giving Tree in conjunction with Court Appointed Special Advocates at the El Dorado County Library.
“If you’re deciding between gifts and donations, you can do both,” Nourse said.
Editor’s note: Due to the number of nonprofit organizations in town, the Tribune was not able to contact them all in time for this article.
Karen Houser, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe, said all the nonprofit organizations in town are struggling.
“All those pieces fit to complete a puzzle, and when those pieces start falling off, we’re in trouble,” Houser said.
Anna Richter, Lake Tahoe Women’s Center development director, agreed.
“All of our clients need the support of all the different agencies in town,” Richter said.
Houser said attendance at the Bijou Community School location is between 100 and 120 children, up from 70 last year.
Attendance has increased for three years, but because the club’s budget is down 30 percent, Houser said the organization’s board might have to cap enrollment.
“Just like everyone else, we want to keep the club alive,” Houser said.
Richter said the Women’s Center is facing $100,000 in budget cuts.
“Every donation we receive helps fill the gaps left by the cuts,” Richter said. “That way our clients won’t experience a lack in service.”
South Lake Tahoe’s Bread & Broth needs donations, as well as volunteers.
“We’re all stretched,” said Diane Weidinger, South Lake Tahoe’s Bread & Broth director. “We’re hoping the community can see our need and respond.”
Donations at the Tahoe Community Church food pantry are up, said Kathy Pavich, Thanksgiving meal organizer.
The church provides fixings for people to cook their own Thanksgiving meal, which includes a turkey, gravy, potatoes, cranberry sauce, pies, stuffing and rolls.
“It makes a difference for people,” Pavich said. “We see a lot of hungry people in trouble.”
On Monday, the food pantry had 172 donated turkeys. Whittell High School also donated 1,110 canned-good items collected through its food drive.
The number of people who need help has increased, Pavich said. Usually the group serves 30 to 40 households. Now they’re serving 73 households.
Alissa Nourse, Tahoe Youth and Family Services executive director, said the group won’t receive its anticipated $150,000 from the county to fund the Wraparound program — a program that works with families to try to prevent children from being removed from the homes.
“We’re going to try really hard to keep it,” Nourse said.
Other services have already been cut, Nourse said. For example, TYFS cut down on services for families who haven’t been ordered into programs by the courts.
“That’s the saddest part,” Nourse said. “These people are seeking true prevention and we can’t serve them at the moment.”
The organization has filled holes left by other entities that had funding issues. For example, when the county cut its family planning services, TYFS expanded its family-planning hours.
Many organizations depend on government funding for their services.
The Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe has had government funding for all of its 17 years. The club has an After School Education and Safety grant, which they’ve re-applied for. If attendance is decreased too much, they could lose the grant, Houser said.
The club partners with other entities, such as the El Dorado County Health Department Drug and Alcohol Division and the Lake Tahoe Unified School District.
Because of the funding shortfall, Houser said the organization is reaching out to the community more than before. One example is the Dream Home raffle, which appeals to full-time South Shore residents and second-home owners.
The club needs to sell at least 7,001 tickets to give away the home, on South Upper Truckee Road, and at least 3,000 tickets to award the $100,000 cash prize.
If fewer than 3,000 tickets are sold, the prizes will not be given away, and tickets will be refunded.
Nourse said TYFS has a number of holiday fundraisers: Christmas cards that are sent to people when a donation is made in their name, entertainment books and Tahoeopoly. The group is collecting gifts for older teens and other donations such as toilet paper, underwear or socks.
The Women’s Center accepts donations, and has a Giving Tree in conjunction with Court Appointed Special Advocates at the El Dorado County Library.
“If you’re deciding between gifts and donations, you can do both,” Nourse said.
Editor’s note: Due to the number of nonprofit organizations in town, the Tribune was not able to contact them all in time for this article.
Holiday Open House
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 7
2680 S. Upper Truckee Road
The Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe is hosting a Holiday Open House at the Dream Home that is being raffled to raise funds. Nonprofit organizations at the open house will explain their services and let community members know how they can help. All nonprofits are welcome to participate. Santa Claus will also be there to take pictures with children.
For more information, call Karen Houser at (530) 542-0838.
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