Jessica Miller, chief impact officer at Community Action, told the Daily Herald on Wednesday the nonprofit organization needs $100,000 by the end of October to keep its doors open and will ultimately need $1.5 million to “really right the ship” by paying off debts and rebuilding reserves.

The financial instability has forced change in the organization’s leadership. Tom Hogan is no longer CEO, and the board appointed COO Caitlin Rangel as interim CEO. Miller said additional board members were brought on, including former BYU athletic director Val Hale and businessman Sheldon Miner.

Since COVID, costs have continued to rise, while grant opportunities have become fewer and community donations have not kept pace with the need, according to Miller. She said Community Action is unable to access certain grants because they require the organization to have available cash to spend, which is later reimbursed via the submission of receipts. The organization is also awaiting reimbursements on money spent on other grants, she added.

“In the meantime, we also need to pay the bills that a normal business has of paying their staff and rent and the lights and all of those different things,” Miller said.

The uncertainty also comes at a time that Community Action has seen an uptick in families visiting the food pantry in recent months, with the holiday season approaching. Miller said the organization saw 134 new families come in September, and is on track to at least meet that figure this month.

“It’s very critical that the food pantry stays open,” Miller said.

Also in jeopardy is Community Action’s housing program that helps with rental assistance, she said. Warming centers, which Community Action partners with Utah County to operate, are still scheduled to open Nov. 1.

To address the financial woes, Miller said the organization is reaching out to private companies and local philanthropists and is pursuing talks with local municiaplites where their customers live to see if they can assist. Internally, she said Community Action cut staff and is looking to reduce expenses.

“We are grateful that we do have the resources in our community,” Miller said. “And so we are just doing our best to connect with those individuals and businesses and groups.

“We have a wonderful community, and we know that their values are all about caring for their fellow man, and we appreciate those who have been our longtime supporters, and we’re grateful to those who hear our plea for help and provide the support that we need at this time.”