SECOR – Taking Care of our Children
I blew it. Last month was National Volunteer Month. I should have thanked the volunteers at Southeast Community Outreach (SECOR) for all they do to help families who are struggling within our community.
Well, better late than never. I’m pretty sure the more than 40 volunteers who work the SECOR food bank will still be happy to accept my thanks as I also work to spread the word about their efforts.
Based out of Southeast Christian Church, SECOR has grown quite a bit since it was founded by a group of friends who wanted to provide year-round assistance to those in need in the Parker community. The friends assumed responsibility, launched a food bank and created a 501(c)3 called Southeast Community Outreach, or SECOR.
In addition to food, SECOR provides emotional and financial assistance to foster self-sufficiency. It hopes that its temporary assistance will enable the recipients to succeed in the long term, without dependence on assistance from charitable or government agencies.
The outreach program serves the Denver area, but it is especially focused on those living in Douglas, Arapahoe and Elbert counties. It is a religious-based program, but those seeking assistance are not required to participate in religious services.
One of the SECOR programs that really touches my heart is the Food For Thought Program, which focuses on the youth in the community. Through the effort, food is given to families who have been identified by their children’s schools as “food insecure.”
Currently, SECOR volunteers work with three schools in the Parker area, providing food for the weekend to about 40 families – or about 95 children. They want to increase the number of schools and families in the upcoming months.
With all the need in the community and SECOR’s plans to help more and more families, there’s always a need for more volunteers and, of course, donations.
If you would like more information about SECOR, how you can help or become a volunteer, please call 720-842-5621 and ask about the Beyond the Cupboard tours. You also may visit www.secor.info/.
By the way, my timing is doubly bad. They are closed May 20-24, 2013.
Normally, the SECOR food bank is open at Southeast Christian Church, 9650 Jordan Road, on Wednesdays from 10 to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Thursdays from noon to 6:30 p.m., and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
