Fall 2024 Update
A New Approach
We are working toward a new model of operations and governance, in which volunteers will play a large role. Groups of interested folks will work with staff and board members on well-defined programs, such as:
- Encore
- Food Pantry
- Communal Events
- Wellness Activities
- Personal Outreach
Volunteer committees will help define the activities that make up these programs, as well as recruit and encourage the volunteers who put in the hours and bring the skills that make them possible.
At this moment, CORE is supported by two part-time employees, Paige and Brie, who both share the board’s enthusiasm for greater volunteer participation. But Brie is now only contracted for a finite number of hours through a generous donation. We have a long way to go until we can confidently recruit and hire a full-time director.
Have you ever coaxed a glowing ember into a campfire?
That’s how we see CORE now — a fragile flame that must be gently fanned, that too big a log could snuff out, but that with care can become a source of warmth and comfort for many.
Some Program Specifics Under Development
- Encore will continue to be open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday through the Applefest and then drop back to Fridays and Saturdays for the late fall and winter — a fantastic effort by dedicated volunteers!
- Food Pantry — Paige and her volunteer team continue to meet crucial food needs weekly.
- Communal Events — Brie and the committee are planning meals and thinking about other events to be held in the former Maggie’s (hey, how about a fun name for this space? Any ideas?)
- Wellness Activities — We are just about set for Winter Walking in the Lakeside Pavilion, twice a week, January through March. The Wellness Team is also looking for ways to make available senior-friendly activities, expanding on those offered by Bayfield County and RFR.
- Personal Outreach — Our newest program area. We are looking to begin with friendly visits and respite opportunities for caregivers.
Please join us on this journey, as a volunteer or donor.
Contact us at [email protected] to talk about where your skills and interests might best fit.
Increasing Accessibility at the new CORE Center on Manypenny Avenue!
Our building project is underway and we're excited to welcome you into our new food pantry, handicap accessible staff offices, and a handicap accessible community center on Manypenny Avenue in 2024! This new addition is funded by Kim & Quito Rymer, a Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Community Development Investment grant, the Otto Bremer Foundation, and the Flanagan Foundation.
Wondering what happens at CORE?
CORE Community Resources is a nonprofit with a mission to improve quality of life for seniors and reduce hunger for all in northern Bayfield County. It was founded in 2006 by local philanthropist Mary H. Rice to address the needs of area seniors and to identify programs and services to make aging in a small, rural town easier. CORE’s first program, Friends in Deed, focused on meeting seniors' social needs and then expanded to include services that supported seniors' desire to age in place – including friendly visits and meal prep. Since then, CORE has added a food pantry and a community center to its list of programs, while continuing to evolve its programs and services that support older adults. CORE serves all of northern Bayfield County, including the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.
We are pleased to offer an overview of the year’s services and programs:
In 2023, 94 volunteers contributed 2,664 hours to help make this possible.
FOOD PANTRY
In 2023, we hosted:
We are pleased to offer an overview of the year’s services and programs:
In 2023, 94 volunteers contributed 2,664 hours to help make this possible.
FOOD PANTRY
- In 2023, 4,796 pantry boxes were distributed, compared to 3,562 in 2022.
- We saw an 81% increase in Home Visits & Food Deliveries between 2022 & 2023 (2023 had 422)
- 4,483 lb. of food received from WI farmers for distribution under the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program administered by the USDA. This will continue into 2024.
- Weekly Home Meals — we operated at capacity throughout the year with 100-105 meal recipients each week. Additionally, we used these volunteer delivery routes to provide birthday cupcakes and seasonal gifts to our senior recipients.
- Lending Closet — 44 items in 2023 (durable medical equipment)
- Senior assistance: technology, shopping, friendly visits, pet care, snow removal — 165 services
In 2023, we hosted:
- 8 Friday Friends Senior Lunches, with a total of 243 attendees
- 73 Open Community Center days, with a total of 555 attendees, including a weekly Senior Women’s Mahjong group
- 6 Intergenerational Community Potlucks, with a total of 198 attendees
- 5 Intergenerational Spirit-Free Community Events, with a total of 386 attendees
- 3 Superior Lifelong Learning Events, with a total of 34 attendees