In 26 years of running Douglas County Social Services, manager Karen Goode said she's never seen the demand that has been placed on the department in the past few months.
Her clients include people who have never been out of work before, but find their resources in jeopardy because of rising gasoline prices and the decline in the economy, particularly the housing market.
"As the economy goes down, the needs go up," she said.
Seniors are struggling to pay utility bills while young families are running out of grocery money.
Goode expected an increase during cold weather months, but as spring turned to summer, the need for services hasn't let up.
"There's always a big rush in the winter, but people like construction workers expect to go back to work in the spring. That didn't happen this year," Goode said.
Social services tries to cover every need for the county's indigent " literally from cradle to grave, if necessary.
Goode has heard the allegations that some clients take advantage of the services.
"Statistics show that 6 percent of people abuse it. I can deal with that," she said. "That means 94 percent of our clients don't want to use it, but need it."
Goode and her staff of five full-time employees make sure each client is treated with dignity.
From their facility on Spruce Street in Gardnerville, social services serves clients Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m.
The agency set up a resource room at their offices on Spruce Street in Gardnerville for clients to use in job searches. There is computer access, assistance with resumes , even a mirror so an applicant can determine if they're dressed appropriately for an interview.
"It's pretty difficult these days to look for a job without a computer," Goode said.
Clients may reserve the room and use it privately. A window in the door assures that computers aren't being misused.
Across town, business is booming at the Carson Valley Community Food Closet.
Director Eileen Boettiger said demand for services has climbed by as high as 51 percent in May over last year.
She has 82 volunteers eager to keep the shelves filled, but the inventory has declined from small donations made by individuals to the larger corporate sponsors.
Food and other staples are flying off the shelves as quickly as they are stocked.
While the community " from scout troops and churches to grocery stores and bakeries " continues the generosity that has kept the larder full for 20 years, some changes have been noticed.
"Everybody is trying to get more efficient and do a better job of ordering," Goode said. "We understand."
Nobody leaves empty-handed, but the choices can be limiting.
"We're also seeing a lot of transients coming through town," Boettiger said.
Boettiger told the story of two men who drove to Gardnerville from Arizona "because they heard there were jobs here."
They didn't find work and showed up at the Food Closet.
One of the biggest problems, Goode said, is that people are reluctant to seek help.
The senior population has been particularly hard hit.
"We've had seniors come in, their gas has already been turned off for two months, and they're not sure what to do," she said.
She told the story of one elderly gentleman who came in for help, but left when he was faced with the paperwork. She hopes he'll come back.
If Goode could share a single piece of advice with families in financial trouble, it would be: Don't wait.
"People often believe up to the last minute that something's going to change. Then they show up with a five-day eviction notice," Goode said. "That's a bad idea.
CARSON VALLEY FOOD CLOSET
ITEMS IN NEED
Baby food, baby formula, baking mixes, bath soap, shampoo, tissues, canned fruit, canned soup, packaged soup, canned fruits and vegetables, cereal, mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, crackers, diapers, baby wipes, dish soap, dried products, feminine hygiene products, laundry soap, macaroni, noodles, pasta, packaged dinners, peanut butter, jelly, pudding, gelatin, salad dressing, spaghetti sauce, pudding mix, sugar, tomato sauce, tuna, canned meats
The Carson Valley community Food Closet is at 1255 Waterloo Lane, Gardnerville, NV. Information, 782-3711. Clients must be referred by Douglas County Social Services.
DOUGLAS COUNTY SOCIAL SERVICES
Mission Statement: "Providing support, education and personal case planning for low-income families and individuals to promote and encourage self-sufficiency."
Douglas County Social Services provides:
n Medical assistance: Emergency medical care to indigent Douglas County residents; adult group care and long-term care facilities; prescriptions including Douglas County Prescription Discount Cards; burial/cremation; funds for counseling and medical treatment for sexual assault victims and their families.
n General assistance: Utilities, rent, food (eligibility screening conducted for Carson Valley Community Food Closet.
n Support services: Assistance with applications for county, state and federal assistance programs; referrals; case planning; screening for other resources such as food commodities, eye exams and glasses, household goods and clothing, emergency assistance program, Project Santa Claus, holiday food baskets.
n Intensive Case Management Programs: Case planning for stability, homeless prevention, temporary housing.
n Other services: Limited assistance available to transients and stranded visitors.
Information: 782-9825; on the Web, www.DouglasCountyNV.gov
