Donations

How does this work?
Any donor who gives a minimum of $250 in a calendar year to Westside CARES through the Enterprise Zone is eligible for 25% tax credit on their Colorado State Income Tax. Make your check payable to "The El Paso County Enterprise Zone" and in the memo line write "Westside CARES". Send the check to Westside CARES. We record the donation and then deliver the check to El Paso County. Each month, El Paso County makes a monthly distribution to all Enterprise Zone Organizations, and Westside CARES receives the money from your donation. El Paso County also sends a certified receipt to you, the donor, for use with the Colorado State Income Tax Return. Come tax time, you take the deduction from the tax you owe on your Colorado Income Tax (25% of your donation). Please contact Steve Brown (719) 389-0759, if you have questions regarding this valuable benefit.

Your food donations will be distributed among our six church-based food pantries which work together to make emergency food supplies available to our neighbors in need five days and two evenings a week, free of charge. Current food needs

Toiletry items are not covered by food stamps and many of our neighbors need them. It is very difficult to keep our pantry stocked with these items as there is such a great need for them in our community. Current toiletry items needed.

Your donations of warm, winter coats will help supply the "Coat Closet" housed at our main office. The coats you donate are distributed throughout the winter months to our neighbors (adults and children) on a case by case basis as the need is identified. The coats are made available free of charge.

LARGE CLOTHING DONATIONS:
Due to our limited space, Westside CARES is unable to accept large donations of clothing beyond the current clothing items listed. We encourage you to take large donations to our partner agency, Goodwill, because:
* Goodwill supports the efforts of Westside CARES by providing monthly clothing vouchers to distribute to our neighbors as needed. These vouchers allow our neighbors to access needed clothing items for free. This partnership has been invaluable for Westside CARES and the neighbors we serve.
* Goodwill has years of experience collecting, cleaning, and sorting used clothing and their outlet stores have ample room for storage and distribution.
* Proceeds from Goodwill thrift stores help to fund programs that serve neighbors with intellectual and physical challenges, helping them to build skills that enrich their lives and allow for greater independence.
These are just a few of the reasons that Westside CARES supports Goodwill. By donating to Goodwill and helping to increase their inventory of gently used clothing, our neighbors have access to a greater variety of desperately needed clothing.

You can make an enduring commitment to providing faith-based emergency assistance to local neighbors in need by making a bequest to Westside CARES in your will. Check with your estate planner to discover how easy it is to remember Westside CARES in your will.

We appreciate being notified if you choose to make a bequest because we would like to express our appreciation and recognize your generosity during your lifetime. Contact Steve Brown, Executive Director at (719) 389-0759, ext. 101 for more information