SEQUIM — Generous contributions are helping Sequim Community Aid stay alive, but the group that helps the needy and jobless pay their utility bills is still limited on how much it can help.

While she did not have totals on how much was donated after her public plea, Donna Tidrick, Sequim Community Aid president, said, “We appreciated everyone coming to our rescue.

“Community Aid is in better shape, but we hope people will do what they can do to support us so we can help people.”

Tidrick said the group, which has 18 members, helps people in danger of being disconnected with their utility bills.

“We’re still going to do cutoffs because people are still hurting because they don’t have jobs,” Tidrick said.

While Community Aid was able to give at least $1,050 during the week of July 1-8, requests for assistance slowed the following week of July 11-15, she said.

Donations still needed

Tidrick said donations were still needed, especially since Community Aid has to wait until October before the largest donor, the Albert Haller Foundation, contributes its annual $8,000 to $10,000 in assistance.

She said the need often extends to paying the $350 deposit to the public utility district for utility hookups for renters.

“That’s a lot of money to come up with if you just moved in,” she said. “Plus if you’ve got to pay first and last and renter deposits.”

Tidrick, who has been with Community Aid since 1983, said the region is suffering the worst economy she has seen.

Tidrick and others with Community Aid take pride in the fact that they have always counted on private donations and have never taken a dime from government agencies.

Funding dropped

Community Aid’s funding dropped from a high of $83,387 in 2004-2005 to about $1,350 on June 12.

The help group started with more than $50,000 at the beginning of the year.

The all-volunteer Community Aid, which has helped the poor inside the Sequim School District boundaries since 1947, started with delivering food baskets to needy families or a Christmas toy to a child.

Since then, Community Aid has helped thousands of families and unemployed individuals with bills to pay.

The group also receives donations from nine area churches.

To donate, phone Sequim Community Aid at 360-681-3731.

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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-681-2391 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.