PASSION FOR COMPASSION

APASSION FORCOMPASSION

SECORCares maintains the slogan, “Caring People Caring for People.” They care for and serve those in our community who are in need. They aim to educate the community about suburban poverty and how many in our area struggle with temporary setbacks like a loss of job, divorce, illness, or other circumstances that impact finances.

History: SECOR began as a Christmas outreach program. It was started in the 1990s by the Southeast Christian Church in Parker and soon began collecting food donations in a small pantry on the weekends. It has grown so much since their beginning. SECORCares is now its own entity and serves individuals, organizations, and schools in Douglas, Elbert and Arapahoe County, including 42 different zip codes. In 2019, The Solomon Foundation built a beautiful and spacious new facility to house this comprehensive operation. SECORCares is able to rent the space, and the new building serves as a much better fit for their many services.

Services: We met with Amy Pfister and had a tour of the new facility and process that guests go through to be a part of the SECORCares benefits. Amy told us how they do not refer to themselves simply as a food bank since there are so many other services available beyond the food. Because walking in the front door is the hardest part to seeking help, guests are welcomed in and are able to shop in the free food market on their first visit.

SECORCares has multiple services to offer individuals to help on the first step to rebuild hope in their lives. The aim of SECORCares is to help people get back on their feet. In addition to the free food market, they take bagged food to certain schools for struggling families to eat over the weekend. They also provide financial education, free legal aid, resumé assistance, as well as dental and medical resources. They help people to become self-sufficient and to be able to move forward on their own after some time.

About a year and a half ago a sponsor, Christian Brothers Automotive, built a specialized truck to hold containers and food for a portable free food market. This has allowed SECORCares to bring food to those who are unable to come to their building. They stop at schools and senior communities to allow those in need to shop in the mobile market!

They partner with multiple food banks and government agencies to provide help. They also have many sponsors in the community like businesses, groups and farmers who have like-minded goals and give food and donations regularly, including Starbucks, Kneaders, Einstein Bagels, and Panera.

Numbers: In 2019, SECORCares served 2000 families in their free food market and the mobile market served 23 schools - feeding around 850 families per week. They also made close to 100 visits in 2019 to low income senior housing and school communities. More than 150 volunteers contribute to the service SECORCares offers, as well as nine individuals who work part time or full time for the non-profit organization.

How to Help: Members of the community can help the mission of SECORCares in multiple ways. Food and other donations can be collected and brought by individuals or groups. The website contains a wish list for items which are needed most. Monetary donations are also accepted on the website. Another way that people can help is to become a volunteer. Volunteers can sign up for different time slots or commitment levels. There is also a new program for 2020 called “A Family Like This.” Families in the community can donate $96 to SECORCares, who will then provide $600 worth of groceries to a help a local family. The goal is to have 1000 families adopted through this program for the year.

The message that SECORCares wants to share with the community is to care for those around us. We have all chosen to make our homes here and send our kids to school and work in this area. It is our responsibility to help our neighbors and take care of those around us. What a beautiful message!

For more information, go to secorcares.com. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, SECORCares is currently operating on a drive-thru model to limit exposure and contact. It has been working well. They served 435 families in the first 3 days. They have also also added an emergency relief fund to their website under the "make a donation" tab for extra help during this sensitive time.

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