SAN MIGUEL COUNTY – Angel Baskets, the Telluride region nonprofit that got its start nearly three decades ago providing holiday gift-and-food baskets to families in need, will receive a $2,500 grant on August 24 as part of the $1 million Colorado Assistance Fund II established by the Colorado Springs-based El Pomar Foundation to address the continuing emergency needs of state residents resulting from the widespread economic crisis.

The Telluride Foundation-administered Good Neighbor Fund, serving residents of San Miguel County, will receive $5,000 from El Pomar, as well.

El Pomar created its first round of CAF distributions last year, giving $1 million in November 2008 to more than 90 nonprofit organizations throughout Colorado.

This year, El Pomar, after working with regional Colorado advisory councils in rural areas to determine which organizations can best use immediate support in two categories – emergency human services (food, clothing, shelter, rental and utilities assistance, etc.) and abuse prevention services (domestic violence, child abuse and substance abuse) – is distributing another $1 million to more than 100 nonprofits statewide. One of the oldest and largest private foundations in the Rocky Mountain West, El Pomar, founded by Spencer and Julie Penrose in 1937, contributes $25 million annually through grants and Community Stewardship Programs to support Colorado nonprofit organizations involved in health, human services, education, arts and humanities, and civic and community initiatives.

“Angel Baskets is doing critical work keeping families fed and clothed throughout the region though these tough economic times,” said Telluride Foundation President and CEO Paul Major, who will deliver El Pomar’s $2,500 check to Angel Baskets Monday, August 24, at 9 a.m., behind Needle-Rock Fiber Arts, on main street. “This all-volunteer organization brings out the very best in our community,” said Major.

“We are thrilled and cannot thank El Pomar Foundation enough,” said Nancy Talmey, an Angel Baskets volunteer. “This $2,500 grant, combined with Angel Basket’s bulk shopping, will feed a lot of families in the region.”

“The trustees of El Pomar are aware that many people throughout the state continue to struggle as a result of the ongoing economic crisis,” said El Pomar Foundation Chairman and CEO William J. Hybl. “With valuable information coming from our nine regional councils about what the needs are in their own communities, we are hopeful these grants will have an immediate impact on those who need it most across Colorado.”

Other grant recipients in the San Juan Region include: Sharing Ministries, Inc., Montrose Medical Mission, Voices for Children; and the West End Family Link Center, in Montrose County; Surface Creek Community Services, in Delta County; Food Bank of the Rockies, serving Mesa, Delta, Montrose and Ouray counties; Gunnison Country Food Pantry, in Gunnison County; the Tri-County Resource Center, serving Delta, Montrose and Ouray counties; and the Gunnison County Health and Human Services’ Light Program, serving Gunnison and Hinsdale Counties.

Members of the San Juan Council include Major; Noelle Hagan of Gunnison; Jay Helman, president of Western State College; Betsy Marston, editor at High Country News; Kay Alexander, former Representative of House District 58; and Mary Stigall, founder of Lake City Arts in Lake City.

For more information about Angel Baskets, call Talmey at 970/ 708-0647; for information about West End Family Link Center, contact Julie Noetzelman at 970/864-2245; and for information on the Good Neighbor Fund, contact Major at 970/728-9007. For more information about the Colorado Assistance Fund, contact Josie Burke, El Pomar Foundation director of communications at 719/577-5750, 719/433-3571 or jburke@elpomar.org.