CERF Helps Local Families Avoid Eviction, More

Corridor Staff

The Comal Emergency Relief Fund is seeking donations to continue their efforts supporting residents of New Braunfels and Comal County residents.  

CERF, which was created in March 2020 to provide direct crisis financial support and other assistance to New Braunfels and Comal County residents, has provided funds for families to pay rent and stay current on their utilities and other basic living needs through Comal County Cares.

The relief fund was established by the McKenna Foundation and a local philanthropist and attracted additional investments from other large donors, foundations, individuals and businesses.

Now the organization is looking for additional donations as COVID-19 continues to surge through the Comal County and Central Texas communities.

“We’ve helped people in crisis but there’s more to come. By no fault of their own, local residents have lost their businesses or jobs and had their financial footholds shattered. If there was ever a time to help your neighbor in need, it’s now. We need everyone to step up and do what they can,” said Alice Jewell, McKenna Foundation CEO.

Comal County Cares is a multi-agency response effort that serves as a centralized navigation point, physically located at the McKenna Center, to ensure all residents have access to the care they need. Providers have processed more than 500 requests from eligible local households and distributed $235,000 on their behalf since the pandemic began. Partner agencies are able to assist with multiple services for local families, including:

• Mental health professionals
• Financial assistance for rent or mortgage payments
• Financial assistance for utility bills
• Direct food assistance
• Assistance acquiring P-SNAP benefits (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
• Spiritual support

The CERF is a fund of the New Braunfels Community Foundation. Tax-deductible donations of any amount are needed to help those affected by COVID-19 job loss or wage reduction.

Donations can be made at www.nbcommunityfoundation.org, mailed to 801 W. San Antonio Street or by calling Brit King at (830) 606-9536.

For more information, checkout Comal County Cares or call 830-606-9512.