Your Donation Makes a Difference: Mercy’s Gate and the Empty Stocking Fund

For more than 40 years, Mercy’s Gate has been serving the community of El Paso County by offering our Neighbors in crisis relief, the hope of the Gospel, and a vision for restoration. Our primary relief methods occur through our direct services, such as rent and utility assistance, vouchers for gas or bus tokens, and help with clothing and medical needs. In addition to these direct services, we also offer a food pantry. The generous donations from the Empty Stocking Fund form a significant part of the funding for our direct services, providing our Neighbors with shelter, transportation, clothing, food, and medical care. As these needs are met, our Neighbors often have a renewed sense of hope and optimism about the future and frequently experience significant relief from having these financial strains lifted.

Real Stories, Real Impact: Mercy’s Gate in Action

One example of this occurred with a family whose review of their disability case was delayed. Because the wife was the full-time caretaker of her disabled husband, this meant her pay was also on hold while their case was reviewed. With limited options for seeking additional financial help, they had fallen behind on their mortgage and utilities. The wife came to Mercy’s Gate feeling anxious about their situation and was afraid of losing their home. We were able to help them get on track with their mortgage and utilities, and they left feeling an enormous burden lifted from their shoulders and having gained a renewed sense of hope for a more stable future.

In another situation, a single dad came in needing help with rent. His young boys have high medical needs requiring regular hospital visits, and one of them needs a support plan with the school. The school needed time to implement the support plan, meaning the boy had to do online school at home until the support plan was in place. Unable to work because he had to care for his sons, the father was deeply concerned about how to pay his rent and was running low on gas for his car. We helped him with rent and provided a gas voucher for his vehicle. He left knowing that he could continue to care for his sons until the school plan was in place and he could return to work.

Together, We Transform Lives

These are only two examples of the more than 10,000 households we have been privileged to help so far in 2024. When our Neighbors come to us for help, they often feel hopeless, alone, and fearful. Our goal is to assist as many of our Neighbors as possible, so they leave our agency with a renewed sense of hope, a greater sense of optimism, and the knowledge that they are not alone.

Your Support Makes a Difference

When you donate to the Empty Stocking Fund, you’re not just making a financial contribution but joining an ongoing effort to support organizations like Mercy’s Gate in helping our community. Donations to the Empty Stocking Fund support all of our direct services to our Neighbors, meaning your donation plays a significant part in keeping your neighbors in El Paso County in their homes, with the lights and heat on, food on their tables, and can also provide for some of their clothing, medical, and transportation expenses. Your donations make a significant difference in the lives of individuals and families in need throughout our area, and we couldn’t do it without you.