The Mancos FoodShare and Pay It Forward Fund are offering relief for people affected by the Western Excelsior fire this week, according to a news release from Mancos Valley Resources, a nonprofit group that oversees FoodShare and Pay It Forward.
Both are prepared to give aid for as long as the need lasts, according to the release.
Pay It Forward Fund offers aid to Mancos Valley residents including grocery and gas cards, rent and utilities payments, child care fees and similar direct assistance.
“We are in it for the long haul,” Pay It Forward co-leader Patricia Burk said in the release.
Residents in the 81328 ZIP code are eligible to apply for Pay It Forward assistance. Applications are available online to download at http://www.mancospayitforward.org/.
Printed applications are available at the Mancos Public Library and other locations in Mancos, and will be available in Spanish within the next few days, the release states.
Mancos FoodShare is available to Mancos Valley residents in need on the third Thursday of every month, offering shelf-stable food and produce when available.
There is no charge to shop at the pantry and there is no qualification process.
This month, the pantry will be open May 18, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Mount Lookout Grange, 680 Grand Avenue in Mancos. The Grange is now the permanent home for the FoodShare.
Mancos FoodShare also distributes food through the USDA commodities program, which requires registration. For help to register, residents may call Mancos FoodShare at 970-533-1068. For those already registered for commodities, the next distribution in Mancos will be May 20, at 7 a.m. at the grange.
Also located at the Grange is the Free Box, where donors may leave clothing and small household items, but not food.
People who want to contribute to the fire relief effort can do so by donating to Mancos FoodShare and Pay It Forward through Mancos Valley Resources.
Checks should be made out to Mancos Valley Resources, with a note on the memo line stating “for fire relief” and naming Pay It Forward, Mancos FoodShare or both.
Checks may be mailed to Mancos Valley Resources, P.O. Box 204, Mancos, CO 81328. Donations for fire relief are tax deductible when made through Mancos Valley Resources.