The Gazette by Erin Prater
Pikes Peak region mental health services nonprofit sought for Gazette/El Pomar Empty Stocking Fund
The Gazette/El Pomar Empty Stocking Fund is seeking a nonprofit that provides mental health services to become a partner agency.
Agencies must provide mental health services to residents in El Paso and Teller counties to be eligible.
At the conclusion of each annual campaign, partner agencies each receive a percentage of funds raised.
The 2019-20 campaign raised more than $1.2 million for partner agencies.
Funds can be used however agencies see fit, said Deb Mahan, executive director of Gazette charities.
"All of our agencies, that's the thing they're most grateful for — all the funds are general operations dollars," she said. "Rather than a grant specific to a particular program, funds can be used for anything — paying staff, keeping the lights on."
With May being mental health awareness month, and given the mental and emotional stressors of the coronavirus pandemic, as well as The Gazette's recent coverage of the mental health crisis in Colorado, "the time is perfect to add a mental health-specific agency" to Empty Stocking Fund recipients, Mahan said.
Partner agencies must meet certain criteria, including sending a representative to all meetings called by the Empty Stocking Fund team, the production of a report each campaign, and volunteering at least five hours a campaign at fund events.
For deadlines and more information, read the artcile here.