Resource Center funding

Budget meetings will be coming-up soon, remember to fund our Resource Center.

From Pacifica Tribue, Letters-to-the-editor, 1/31/12, "An investment in Pacifica" by Kerstin Connelly

"Editor: What is the most sensible course of action in this current budget crisis for our community? Shall we cut services to the most vulnerable among us by cutting funds to our Resource Center (an agency that helps to feed and serve our elderly, children and unemployed)?

Food programs - daily, weekly, monthly

Each fiscal year the Resource Center receives $83,000 from the city budget. This amount represents a full 25 percent of their funding. Please consider the return they leverage from these funds: the Pacifica Resource Center uses our city funds to bring in over $650,00 in outside funds that directly benefit Pacifica. These funds come in the form of monies for housing, utilities and food assistance that would not otherwise be available to Pacifica. That is nearly an $8 return on our tax dollar! This is an investment that goes right into our community.

They use those funds to provide 250,000 lbs of food to nearly 3,500 residents (that's roughly 10 percent of our population). They also prevent homelessness and shelter to over 100 families. They assist with free tax preparation. They provide Happy Holidays to 258 children through their Adopt-a-Family program and at Thanksgiving serve over 150 Pacifica families. Further, they help the elderly navigate and acquire the senior discounts and affordable housing they deserve. All of this they do with a small staff of four, consisting of a director, a case manager, a direct service manager (who coordinates volunteers) and an office assistant. Due to these tough times, they have seen a 30 percent increase in demand for resources and services in the last year.

Imagine if you will that these safety nets and services be cut. Potential cuts include the elimination of the back to school, Thanksgiving and Adopt-a-Family program. Loss of $160,000 in leveraged resources and nearly 1,000 Pacificans unable to get the vital food, housing and other critical services that help stabilize families and make Pacifica a healthier and safer community.

It is my personal opinion that there is a better solution for the greater good of our community than cutting funding to such a worthwhile organization. I believe we should consider a sliding scale reduction in City employee salaries and a reduction in benefits, which are currently at 100% for employees and their spouses. These ample salaries were increased during the real estate boom time and now need to be reduced to reflect the current financial crisis. This would no doubt be difficult for Pacifica's public employees; however, such a sacrifice would be easier to bare than the hunger that cutting funds to the Resource Center would cause. I hope that our city leaders spare the most vulnerable in our community and serve our city in a spirit of shared sacrifice."   Information website: Pacifica Resource Center.

Posted by Kathy Meeh