Nonprofit fills financial gap for Sedona residents

Shampoo and conditioner, laundry detergent and toilet paper are run-ofthe-mill grocery list items for many. But for some people whose finances may be tight, these are luxury items they may not be able to purchase.

To lend a hand so locals can get ahead, DeNise L. Bowers, one of the designers and owners of the Wayne B. Light and DeNise L. Bowers jewelry and art gallery in West Sedona, founded the Sedona Area Gap Assist Program — a 501(c)(3) community nonprofit established in December as part of the Sedona United Methodist Church’s mission program.

The mission of SAGAP is to fill the gap that state and government public-assistance programs, such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, do not by providing lowincome individuals and families with necessary personal hygiene and household items.

“Something I have always wanted to do is to figure out how to fill that gap for people who are between jobs, or whatever their case may be that they don’t have what they need to be presentable for even a job interview if they can’t buy a bar of soap or deodorant or shampoo, things like that,” Bowers said.

Some of the items that are not covered by food stamps and will be provided through SAGAP include:

  • Vitamins and health aids: Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and tylenol and antacids.
  • Personal hygiene products: Sanitary napkins and tampons, shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, hair brushes or combs, lotion, toothbrushes and floss, adult incontinence undergarments and pads, baby wipes and diapers.
  • Household products: Brooms, mops and dustpans, light bulbs, trash bags, paper towels and sponges.

To get the ball rolling, SAGAP is holding a raffle for a custom twin-size quilt that was designed just for the program by Kay Jones of Kids Love Quilts in Prescott. “Puppy Love” is the name of the quilt, and it comes with a matching pillow case and stuffed toy puppy.

All proceeds from the raffle will go toward purchasing needed items for SAGAP, such as donation bins, which Bowers said are about $1,200 each; she said they would like to have three bins out in the community.

Raffle tickets for the quilt can be purchased for $8 each at the Wayne B. Light Jewelry and Art Gallery at 40 Soldier Pass Road, Suite 1 in the Sedona La Pasada Plaza, where the quilt is on display.

The drawing for the quilt is intended to take place at the end of August. However, if they do not sell enough raffle tickets to cover the cost of the quilt, which Bowers said was about $550, they will extend the date of the drawing.

Recently, the Sedona Area Gap Assist Program formed a committee, which contains just three people, and they are seeking more contribution. The more help they can get the larger they can expand its sphere of influence.

“It is all donation based, so all of the products that we will provide to these families will be donated,” Bowers said. “We really need all the help we can get.”

Makenna Lepowsky can be reached at 282-7795 ext. 126, or email mlepowsky@larsonnewspapers.com