Assistance & Resource Center, Inc. (ARC) has served households in River Falls for 15 years and Ellsworth for 11 years, meeting the needs of thousands of folks who requested short term financial help for basic living expenses (rent, utilities, gas, car repairs, etc.) to get them through a stressful time.

Since ARC operates as a 100% volunteer organization, 98 cents of every dollar received is given out in direct assistance to clients. Thanks to generous donors and funders, this amount of assistance now stands at over $1.2 million. Supporting those in need in our communities has been a passion for every ARC volunteer.

After 15 years of working tirelessly to achieve ARC’s mission, those individuals involved will now be free to direct their energy to other pursuits, satisfied that for 15 years, Assistance & Resource Center, Inc. was the go-to organization filling this need in our communities.

“As an all-volunteer organization, some have been with ARC for the entire 15 years and it seems

like the right time,” said Sharon Schulze. “We want to end on the high of what ARC has accomplished by very dedicated individuals and the donated dollars of so many to accomplish $1.2 million provided for households in River Falls and Ellsworth facing a critical short term financial need. Maintaining the committed volunteers needed for ongoing success as well as the challenge of raising in the neighborhood of $175,000 yearly for direct client support also factored in the discussion. It was a difficult board decision but a unified one.”

ARC will operate as usual through the next months, accepting requests for help through the telephone contact number, verifying those requests, and funding those approved, in a timely manner. Donations can still be accepted; however, no solicitation of funds is allowed. Services will end when the treasury is depleted, anticipated prior to Dec. 31, 2024, at which time Assistance & Resource Center, Inc. (ARC) will cease to exist as a non-profit organization.

Households looking for assistance going forward are directed to other helping organizations in our local area- Salvation Army, United Way St. Croix Valley (dial 211 for resources available), Our Neighbors’ Place, WestCap, Veteran Service offices, area food pantries, Pierce and St. Croix County Offices of Economic Support, Operation Help.

Submitted by Assistance & Resource Center Inc.