Action Center sees ‘more and more need all the time'
LAKEWOOD, Colo. — On the Action Center's website, the numbers keep growing. More than 2 million pounds of food distributed and more than 22,000 households helped.
The nonprofit's mission has stayed the same during the pandemic, but they have made changes in how they do their work.
Pam Brier is the executive director of the Action Center.
"We moved all of our operations outdoors or online. They drive through every day. We're seeing over 200 households a day come through for food," she said. "We're providing huge amounts of rental assistance throughout the county because COVID has really created a huge economic crisis for so many individuals. Folks are finding themselves in really precarious places and the Action Center has been able to stay open and be here for those in need in the community throughout COVID."
Community awareness of complex problems like homelessness and food insecurity is very important to Brier and the folks at the Action Center.
Brier added, "There's just a tremendous amount of need and I think that's what really important is that people in our community understand that need and they understand that this isn't a failing on the part of people who are struggling."
No appointments are needed at the Action Center location at 8755 W 14th Ave in Lakewood. Services run from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m.- 3 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, as well as the second and fourth Saturdays of the month.
Still, the Action Center staff knows not everyone can make it to the center, so they are working on partnerships and getting out in the community to bring resources to people in need who might not be able to get to the location. They are also encouraging community members who want to get more involved to host donations drives.
The Action Center is always in need of hygiene items: shampoo, diapers, you name it. They also take financial donations at theactioncenter.org
“We’re seeing more and more need all the time. The people who are struggling often times are doing everything they know to do and they are still not able to make ends meet," Brier said. "And we need people in the community, we need foundations, we need government to understand that we all have a role to play. These are very complicated societal problems but I think we all do need to start with just becoming more aware..."