Interfaith collaboration helps with Caldor Fire recovery

affected by fire.

But survivors need more.

and families affected by the fire remain in great need. Few have filed with El Dorado County to rebuild their homes. The obstacle? The huge gap between any insurance proceeds they have received and what it takes to rebuild.

The Caldor Fire Long-Term Recovery Group has provided $695,000 in assistance to the survivors in the form of money, supplies, and services as it is very expensive to be in a state of limbo after a fire. The Salvation Army has provided nearly $250,000 in assistance in a variety of ways to survivors — job placement, rent, sewer, power and water improvements to property

That was part of the vital information recently shared when the Foothill Interfaith Collaboration, a group in western El Dorado County focused on helping the needy, preparing people for future emergencies, promoting religious freedom and supporting youth and children in our area, met in a quarterly meeting to discuss the Caldor Fire long-term recovery effort. Hosted by Reverend Dr. Laura Barnes at the Federated Church in Placerville, and attended by some 50 people composed of pastors, community members, ministers and nonprofit organizations, leaders agreed that with continued help and coordination between nonprofit organizations, government and faith groups they could make a difference, but it would take their best efforts.

A new program to start rebuilding homes on a major scale with the help of volunteers and loans from CalHome will start in spring 2024. But as wildfire survivors have learned, recovery takes time. It’s been said that for every one day of a big fire or disaster, it takes 30 days to recover.

To help with the Caldor Fire recovery effort contact West Slope Foundation Executive Director Scot Telferat (916) 952-2673 or visit westslopefoundation.org. To get an update on this and other community service opportunities, attend the next Foothill Interfaith Collaboration meeting on Tuesday, May 2, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3431 Hacienda Road, Cameron Park. Contact Amy Hulbert at foothillinterfaith@gmail.com for more information.