The Canyon Lake Rotary Foundation made a significant donation recently to jumpstart the financial assistance program at a local charity. The Community Resource & Recreation Center of Canyon Lake (CRRC) has served the community for 37 years by providing emergency food and financial assistance.
When the COVID crisis was declared the organization put the brakes on the financial assistance to make sure it had sufficient resources for providing food supplies to families.
“When I shared with the club board that our clients were not able to access the County Emergency Relief Fund because it was headquartered in New Braunfels, they decided to help us,” said Maureen Schein, development director. “This is huge for our clients. I tell people that the lockdown was tough on everyone, but those who had little now have even less.”
Most CRRC clients are living not too far above of the federal poverty level. These families are usually living in a negative finance situation – they can’t get out of the hole they’re already in, and it keeps getting deeper.
Schein added that she was shocked at the amount the club agreed to - $10,000. “It’s obvious this club has been working with CRRC for years. They know it as trustworthy and transparent. We do what we say we do.”
Schein added that she was shocked at the amount the club agreed to - $10,000. “It’s obvious this club has been working with CRRC for years. They know it as trustworthy and transparent. We do what we say we do.”
Club President Jim Wilkes said the board tried to consider other non-profits in Canyon Lake. “But CRRC does the most, and they do it well. It just made sense to put the club’s money where we would get the biggest bang for the buck.”
“Basically, the club felt it was important to ‘bridge the gap’ between where CRRC was before the health crisis to where it needs to be,” said President-Elect Stuart Magloff. “Letting people get further behind on their bills, or rent, doesn’t make sense. Not when we can step up to make a difference.”
A small donation was made to North Shore United Methodist Church because it does aide with financial assistance for local residents. The Hill Country MHDD also received a donation to help with serving mental health needs in the Canyon Lake area. MHDD opened a clinic three years ago in the community.
Canyon Lake Rotarians also donate their time to CRRC: some by working at the reception desk; others in the emergency food pantry; still others in the warehouse. A team of Rotarians assembled the walk-in freezer and walk-in cooler when the organization moved into its new facility.