A cut to Action

Proposed federal cutbacks could result in crippling funding losses for Community Action Partnership offices, including the Coeur d'Alene facility that provides a lengthy list of services for low income individuals in Kootenai County.

"We would barely be able to keep our doors open," said Paul Donnolo, community service director for the Coeur d'Alene CAP office. "Even if we did, there is no way we would be able to provide the same level of service."

President Barack Obama's 2012 budget request would cut $350 million from the Community Services Block Grant, dumping half the funding for CAP offices. A proposed Continuing Resolution bill in the House would immediately cut CSBG funding by $405 million.

If CSBG dollars are slashed, the CAP offices serving the 10 counties in North Idaho will face severe cuts, Donnolo said.

Under Obama's proposal, Donnolo said, barely enough would be left to handle the Coeur d'Alene location's costs for rent, utilities and the 15-member staff.

"If the 50 percent budget cut goes through, our ability to serve the low income in North Idaho would be greatly diminished, if not completely destroyed, because that's our main source of funding," Donnolo said. "It would be very difficult to keep our doors open and keep staff hired and provide any level of service."

The Coeur d'Alene CAP office serves about 15,000 individuals in Kootenai County a year, Donnolo said.

That's growing, he added.

"I'd think that there would be a huge (impact) with the homeless, and health for sure (if CAP services were cut)," he said. "We're not only here to provide a safety net, but a springboard to help low income become more self sufficient."

The extent of reductions at each CAP office would depend on community, predicted Carolyn Shewfelt, food bank program manager at the Coeur d'Alene CAP.

Any of the Coeur d'Alene office's services could be at stake, she said, including utility assistance, food distribution to homeless, budgeting assistance, help with refinancing and home weatherization.

Even at risk is the food bank, Shewfelt said, which served 112,210 individuals in 2010.

"It could be catastrophic," Shewfelt said of losing the food bank.

A growing population has relied on the CAP food bank during the recession, she added.

"We're serving a lot of people who've never had to receive any resources before from anywhere, maybe because they just lost their jobs," she said. "We're serving a whole new group of people."

Bagging some canned goods at the food bank on Tuesday, Steve Nagode said losing the food bank would be a nightmare.

"I would starve to death," the 51-year-old said. "This is getting me through hard times. I've been unemployed for a year. If it wasn't for the food banks I'd be starving."

After losing his job in the construction industry, Nagode said, he has also had to rely on the CAP for assistance with paying his electric bills.

"(Without it), I would've been without heat this winter, and last winter," the Coeur d'Alene man said. "I'm very grateful this (the CAP services) is provided. It's a lifesaver."

Shelley Porche, sorting through grapefruit at the food bank with her 11-year-old son, said they rely on CAP for food at least a couple times a month.

"I'm a single mom who gets no child support," said Porche, 48, who said she finds few jobs as a painter during the winter. "They are so wonderful here (at CAP). They are always so nice, and they don't make you feel bad for asking for help."

Porche is also on a waiting list for CAP's weatherization service, she added.

"I have a really old trailer and it's leaky, leaky, leaky," the Coeur d'Alene woman said with a laugh. "I lucked out in getting it for pretty cheap, but it would cost too much for a gas heater."

Shewfelt pointed out how desperate the situations can be of folks seeing help from CAP.

Those who need assistance paying utility bills, for instance, often can't do without.

"If your utilities get shut off and you're elderly, it's life threatening," she said.

Hundreds of homeless have relied on the CAP's food distribution, she added. The Coeur d'Alene CAP also distributed 1.26 million pounds of food last year through its food bank, food box and holiday distribution.

"It's amazing, when you look at the numbers," she said.

Donnolo said community donations provide substantial support for the food bank, but the block grant is the funding source for rent, transportation and basic overhead.

He encouraged Idaho residents to contact their Idaho representatives in Congress about maintaining CAP funding.

"Obviously the need isn't going to go away," Donnolo said. "All of them (the low income in Kootenai County), I would venture to say use our services as a main way to get through the month."