CCS Announces Summer Fundraising Campaign for Homelessness and Hunger

Facing ongoing funding cuts at the state and federal levels, the Council of Community Services appeals to the community to help the homeless and the hungry.

As the nation works to balance the budget, some federal programs Campbell County relies on to help the homeless and the hungry have been removed or will likely be removed before the end of the year. To ensure our vulnerable clients receive the services they need, CCS is launching The Heart of Hope campaign, a $120,000 summer fundraising campaign. 

“We are truly grateful for all the support the community has already provided through our Empty Bowl annual fundraiser and 2024 end-of-year giving. We are seeing double-digit increases in the number of people experiencing homelessness and hunger in Campbell County, especially among children and the elderly. The need for services is increasing, while federal and state funding is significantly reduced,” shared Executive Director Mikel Scott. “As the Trump Administration continues its work to balance the budget, we are bracing for significant cuts. For Instance, recent cuts to the U.S.D.A.’s Local Food Assistance Cooperative Agreement program eliminated approximately $188,000 from our hunger relief efforts in 2024. We also anticipate an additional $96,000 in reductions through the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), with further, yet-to-be-determined cuts expected from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP).”

To help the community better understand The Heart of Hope campaign, here are just a few statistics about the current needs in Campbell County:

●       36% increase in people experiencing homelessness in Campbell County in 2024, including a 35% increase in the number of children staying in our shelter

●       18% increase in the number of senior citizens using our food pantry and soup kitchens, and a 10% increase in the number of children needing food through our hunger initiative programs

●       48% increase in the number of community members who needed financial assistance through our emergency medical program and our weatherization program

“Our goal is to raise $120,000 by September 1st to offset the increased cost of providing food and shelter to the hungry and the homeless, and provide critical weatherization services before next winter. We are hoping to raise $40,000 through WyoGives (a statewide fundraiser where financial donations are matched), and the remainder through individual donations,” said Scott

“The best ways to help us are financial donations, or to shop at the Seconds on the Avenue. The proceeds from sales at Seconds provide 20% of our annual operating budget”, shared Avery Kerman, Development Director. “We have been so fortunate to have the support of the community. For nearly 60 years, we have been able to provide a hand up, not a handout, to Campbell County residents through these federal programs and financial support from individual residents. These programs save the County millions of dollars each year by keeping people out of homelessness, feeding the hungry, providing emergency medical assistance, and keeping people in their homes through weatherization.” To learn more, please contact avery@ccswy.org or visit here.

About the Council of Community Services

Since 1968, the Council of Community Services has provided a network of programs to support members of our community in need. Since 1968, we have provided a diverse support network of services for community members seeking to improve their lives. What started as a committee meeting in their homes to provide services to those in need in Campbell County has grown into a non-profit and community action agency that operates ten programs aimed at alleviating poverty. We focus on three causes, homelessness, hunger, and community action, but strive to find solutions and resources for anyone that needs help.