By Sarah Bultema
Loveland Reporter-Herald
GREELEY — When Elsa Gallegos’ car stopped working, her life began to break down, too.
The Greeley resident, who commuted each day to her job in B
oulder, couldn’t get to work without her vehicle.
And with bills to pay from a recent surgery, as well as the responsibility and costs of raising three sons, the single mother couldn’t afford to get the car fixed.
“I had no means of getting to work,” she said. “I was so scared.”
However, a local nonprofit gave Gallegos the jump-start she needed.
The Faith Community Service Fund — a collaboration of church volunteers aimed at helping people in need — was able to donate a used car to Gallegos so she could get herself to work again.
“I was able to keep my job,” Gallegos said. “It was a blessing.”
The Greeley organization was formed a few years ago when local church members came together to discuss their concerns about the rising number of families in need.
Together, these 30-plus churches began coordinating an emergency service system — and the Faith Community Service Fund was born.
Aiming to help others help themselves, the collaboration assists the faith community in providing residents assistance with rent, utility bills and other short-term needs. This year, the Faith Community Service Fund was added to the list of nonprofits to benefit from the Empty Stocking Fund drive.
The El Pomar Foundation, a charitable organization that spearheads the drive, will match $1 for every $3 donated by community members. The total collection will be divided among nine Northern Colorado human service agencies.
Gallegos, who was able to keep her job because of the Faith Community Service Fund, is grateful for the assistance the nonprofit and others like it are able to provide.
“I think it’s a wonderful organization. It helps people out,” she said.
“I’ll say ‘thank you’ again and again.”
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