Fig Tree - 2018-19 Resource Directory published

Preparing resource directory involves many people

Volunteers and staff help with details of research and editing that make it possible to publish the updated Resource Directory each year.

This year volunteers Johnny Fulfer and Marian Beaumier joined staff editors Sara Weaver, Lorna Kropp and Mary Stamp to help with editing and proofreading.

Suzanne Lester volunteered late in the process to help directory editor Malcolm Haworth, who appreciated the skill she brought from work experience in social services.

"She offered helped us with last-minute research needs in areas of support groups, ministries, government agencies and other listings," Malcolm said.

Not only does the directory inform people of where to find food, housing, shelter, renters advocacy, veterans services, health care options, family respite, senior programs, spiritual care, job training, education assistance and other services, there's more to the directory, but also it offers other resources.

Where can one call with a non-emergency to reach police?
Where can one call if a spam jeopardizes one's identity?
Where can one call to volunteer?
Where can one call to go canoeing or kayaking?
Where can one call to advocate for justice?

"In June, we fielded many calls forwarded from 211, exceeding calls the previous 11 years," said Malcolm. "They were from people needing emergency assistance, rental assistance, utility assistance and gas vouchers."

The many calls to The Fig Tree since publishing also indicate that the directory is highly prized and in demand.

The directory connects people with resource agencies that will help move them from crises or poverty to improve their lives, so eventually they can be part of serving the community.

The directory is funded by its 104 advertisers, covering about $29,000 in expenses. It is also funded by community partners who—so far this year—have committed to $8,000 in support.

This year, both The Arc of Spokane and Second Harvest provided vehicles and volunteer drivers to deliver bulk quantities of directories to about 40 outlets each. The Arc delivered 1,650 copies and Second Harvest, 1,100.

In addition to copies that went out by mail, there are still about 5,000 copies to go out, about 600 with Fig Tree bulk deliveries.

Community Partners for 2018 so far are Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern Washington, Banner Bank, Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington, the Community Building Foundation, the Department of Social and Health Services, Martin Luther King Jr. Family Outreach Center, Habitat for Humanity of North Idaho, the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, Thrivent, and Unify Health clinics.

More agencies and businesses can join these partners to help underwrite 2018 costs.

This year, The Fig Tree published 16,000 copies, up from 14,500 in 2017 and 12,000 in 2016, increasing costs of printing and distributing the copies.

Malcolm is now updating listings for the online version.

For information, call 535-1813 or email corrections and new listings to resourcedirectory@thefigtree.org.