EMPTY STOCKING FUND: Mom gets much-needed help from charity to pay rent

Toni broke her hand in November, and it's put her out of work from her three jobs for at least a month.

The single mom of three children - 10 months, 8 and 12 - knew she'd be short on rent for December. Only her first name is being used to protect her privacy.

"I had a little savings," she said. "I'm not on any type of assistance at all, so that's all I had."

She turned to Northern Churches Care for help after her mom heard about them. The agency is one of 14 area nonprofit agencies receiving grants from The Gazette-El Pomar Empty Stocking Fund.

Northern Churches Care works alongside area churches to provide emergency and financial assistance to families in need. It also assists with rent, utilities, transportation, counseling, legal advice and health care.

Northern Churches Care paid $200 toward Toni's $714 rent for December.

"That helped a lot. Anything is better than nothing," she said. "With their help and borrowing some money from a friend, I was able to pay rent."

Being out of work is especially hard with Christmas coming up, she said. She knows she won't be able to get her children some of the things they're asking for. She also knows that gifts don't make the holiday what it is.

"I just feel like if I have food, heat and a roof over our heads, I'm content," she said.

It would've been even harder without Northern Churches Care, she said.

"They were really helpful. I felt uncomfortable at first because I've never been in that position before," she said. "But they were genuine and made me feel better. She told me sometimes everybody needs help, and that made me feel comfortable."

DETAILS

To make a secure online donation go to www.fillanemptystocking.org. You can also call 476-1673 to make a credit card or stock donation over the phone. Checks can be made payable to the Empty Stocking Fund and mailed to P.O. Box 400, Colorado Springs, CO 80901.