By Scott Elpers

With communities feeling the everlasting effects of a sour economy, the Cheney Emergency Fund is coming off of a record year of helping those in need in 2011.

“We have spent more than $15,000 during the year with help in utilities, rent, gas and food for those people having difficulties,” said Jeanette Nixon, secretary of the Cheney Emergency Fund. “We know as our economy has gotten worse and that the need continues to increase. We count it a blessing to be able to help when times are tough.”

Nixon said the need in 2011 was much greater than they’ve had in the past. The non-profit fund, which started in 2001, has spent an average of $10,000 a year in the past three years helping with everything from food to utilities.

“This year alone we were able to help 30 families at Easter, 53 families at Thanksgiving, and 61 families for Christmas with boxes of food, vouchers and ham or turkey certificates,” she said. “From experience, we have seen first-hand the gratitude and relief in the eyes of those accepting these gifts.”

Anyone inside the Cheney School District can be eligible for assistance from the Cheney Emergency Fund. There are restrictions for assistance and those with questions regarding qualifications can contact the Cheney Emergency Fund board through City Hall, Nixon said.

The Cheney Emergency Fund operates year-round and has partnered with other organizations, schools and churches to offer help wherever needed in the community.

“As a community we saw a need,” said Nixon. “We’re here to help community members who might have lost a job and need some guidance. It’s great to see the community give back like this. It’s such a blessing. We are available all year long for whatever might happen. We want to do as much as we can.”

The Cheney Emergency Fund in financed through donations and fundraisers from the community. Several donations are from private individuals and there are fundraisers, like an annual golf tournament, to help raise funds.

“The effort is truly community-wide,” Nixon said. “One person could not do all of this on their own. It’s taken the community to make this work.”