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Phoenix aid group seeks nonprofit status First Phoenix Community Center provides food, clothing, housing and more Comment By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 5, 2016 at 11:01 PM By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 5, 2016 at 11:01 PM » Social News An aid organization that provides food, clothing and housing 2,100 times per month for individuals through First Presbyterian Church is seeking nonprofit status and asking for financial support from the city. “It’s more than just the community kitchen. It’s also a food pantry and the clothes closet, and alongside that is the transition house for women veterans,” said Pastor Mike Foster. First Phoenix Community Center has been operating for about 18 months as an outgrowth of church initiatives. The church struggles to keep the facility open, and there are other reasons to set up a separate entity, said Foster. “It does open up more doors for grants,” Foster said. Nonprofit status may also help bring in donations. Some people's perceptions of religion and churches may limit them from interacting with the organization, Foster and others believe. “To have it be their own thing adds a little bit of distance and allows people a little more freedom to participate,” Foster said. The group has a five-member board of directors, several of whom oversee operations under its umbrella. Carolyna Marshall is board chairwoman and in charge of community kitchen dinners. Usually from 200 to 250 meals are prepared for the group’s second and fourth Thursday meal nights. Marshall said the organization wants to be self-sufficient and able to pay for use of the church. City Council members and former City Manager Jane Turner founded the community kitchen about six years ago when the church offered space, Marshall said. “We have really been cruising on this wave of free rent,” said Marshall. First Phoenix learned that women veterans are a much underserved population. There were no transition facilities for women coming from Veterans Affairs' Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center and Clinics in White City, said Foster. When Foster’s family moved out of a house next to the church, the ministry wanted to use it for service. Up to four women can stay at the house at one time. “This is a way to step in and begin serving that community,” said Foster. First Phoenix's wish list includes expansion of its community garden, job retention and youth programs, all of which operate at low levels because of a lack of funds and people, Marshall said. The roof may need to be repaired or replaced, Foster said, and utilities, custodial and yard care are taxing church finances. “Right now it is operating on a week-to-week and month-to-month basis. We don’t know what is around the corner," said Foster. “A good portion of those (services) probably would not be needed if the church was only doing worship services for an hour on Sunday mornings.” At the Jan. 19 City Council meeting, Foster requested that the city allocate $20,000 in the next fiscal year to help support First Phoenix. A $20,000 donation might be viewed as renting the space for 39 cents per foot, Foster explained. At its Feb. 1 meeting, the council said that all groups seeking funds should make presentations. The church has 4,200 square feet, much of it devoted to community programs. The church also hosts four 12-step programs a week and is the central drop-off point for ACCESS Inc.’s Food and Friends meals program in Phoenix. Tony Boom is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected]. By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 5, 2016 at 11:01 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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