In a small building just down the street from the Press Gazette, a group of people strive to make a difference in the lives of Santa RosaCounty citizens and have been doing so for the last 28 years. Family Resource Program (FRP) provides clothing, food, diapers, as well as financial assistance for utility bills. The nonprofit operating out of 6607 Elva Street is open Tuesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
JoAnn Smith, FRP’s financial assistance volunteer, said the nonprofit serves primarily families who have children under the age of 18 with financial help for electric and water bills. The food and clothing is also available for senior citizens, she said and added. “Anybody can come for clothes.” Jewell Miller, FRP office manager, added Smith provides counseling. Margo Recke, FRP president, said they also help those just passing through with food.
Along with boxes of cereal and cans of soup and tuna fish, Recke said FRP will receive 50 lb buckets of rice volunteers will use to fill Ziploc bags to donate. She said they also include recipes in the bags. “We try to do a bit of extra for them.”
Miller said FRP is a United Way of Santa Rosa County (UWSRC) agency, but used to be a contract agency for the Department of Children and Families through the 1990s. She said they solely provided services to child welfare. “Ten years ago, we became a standalone (organization) to serve the entire community.”
In addition to the services mentioned above, Miller said, “We also refer to others and cost share.” FRP is limited in the amount of money it can give. Smith said the most they can give for bills is $150. However, if someone needs more for a bill, Miller said they will refer a client to another service organization and together, the nonprofits or a church working with FRP can make sure a family meets their obligations. Miller noted a family may only ask this once a year from FRP.
The money to do this comes mainly from UWSRC according to Miller. “They’re a major source of income,” she said with donations also coming from area churches such as St. Rose of Lima, St Mary’s Episcopal Church, PineTerraceBaptistChurch, and food from St. John’sBaptistChurch. Individuals as well can donate. Miller said people who FRP has helped in the past will often come by to give back. Ann Johnson, who manages the donated clothes for FRP, said parents will come back with clothes their children have overgrown to help other families
Miller, who worked with DCF for 37 years, said she would tell her people to always treat clients with kindness and respect because “that could be your mama. That could be your daddy. That could be you.” She said FRP is known to be loving and compassionate to its clientele. “We love what we do,” she said. Smith said, “This is not work.”
Miller said the original FRP building used to sit right next to the ImogeneTheater, but eight years ago the fire destroyed the building and everything inside. One of the FRP board members, she said, was able to get their current building two days later. She said people from all over helped in the recovery, including many in EscambiaCounty.
Recke said the program continues to receive community help with generous donations from private individuals of food and money. She also said the Knights of Columbus chose FRP as one of two programs to be the beneficiaries of 2014’s Smokin’ in the Square barbecue cook-off in downtown Pensacola.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Helping in tough times