The recently established Human Services Emergency Fund is now operational and already being put to good use.

Sequim Police Chief Bill Dickinson said that in the past two weeks the fund has helped a few individuals and families who are low-income and/or in poor health during emergencies.

The first time it was used, he said, was a few weeks ago when a house fire displaced five adults and two children.

“The house wasn’t destroyed but it was 1:30 a.m. in the morning and they didn’t have anywhere to go with no personal possessions,” Dickinson said.

The American Red Cross provided the family emergency housing and a Sequim Police officer took the family to Walmart and purchased them baby food and one set of clothing each so that “they could have something to wear as they got their lives back together,” Dickinson said.

“It was the first time we used it and I think that’s exactly what we want to do. We want to help people in crisis,” he said.

The fund was co-coordinated by the Rev. Bob Rhoads from St. Luke’s Episcopal Church after he and other church attendees and leaders found requests for assistance growing exponentially in recent years. Church and service agency leaders met in March to discuss options. They formed Sequim Cares and later helped start the emergency fund through the Sequim Police Department.

Rhoads previously said the fund serves two purposes — to be more effective and efficient in providing aid to people rather than them going from place to place and prevent individuals from abusing the benevolence of churches.

Church leaders check in once a month about the assistance they provide and can refer those truly in need to a local service agency or police department, depending on the need.

Dickinson said donations go toward gift cards, meals and vouchers that cannot be redeemed for cash, lottery tickets or alcohol.

“We’re not trying to replace or supplant any other charities in town,” he said. “This is for nights or weekends when other service agencies aren’t open. We don’t help with utility bills or sewer bills. Other charities do that.”

Dickinson said the fund has helped individuals out of tough spots such as needing gas money to travel for specific medical assistance. In one case, a man was traveling from Texas to visit his girlfriend in Lacey and the pair traveled together to Sequim, Dickinson said, and once here, the pair split and he was left behind.

“He was hungry and he went to one of our stores and started helping himself to food,” Dickinson said. “We responded and were able to get him on the road and back to Lacey to get the rest of his goods.”

Officers are beginning to receive training on protocol on when to use the fund.

“We’re relying on officers to use their good judgment,” Dickinson said.

If the fund is used, officers file a report on why they used it and who received assistance.

Dickinson said they’ll report on where the money goes and be audited by the state.

Since the fund runs through the City of Sequim, Sequim city councilors unanimously approved a resolution to establish it on April 25.

To donate to the fund, send checks to the “City of Sequim” at 152 W. Cedar St., Sequim, WA 98382, with the memo line “Human Services Emergency Fund.”

With questions, call Dickinson at 683-7227.

Reach Matthew Nash at mnash@sequimgazette.com.