10.19.2015 Durango, CO – Today, The Trinchera Blanca Foundation, the Colorado affiliate of Louis Bacon’s Moore Charitable Foundation, announces a $5,000 challenge grant to the Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado. The matching grant will primarily support the Community Foundation’s Community Emergency Relief Fund (CERF), which provides one-time assistance to area workers whose income has been affected by the Animas River Spill.

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Grant supports local businesses affected by Animas River Spill

“The Trinchera Blanca Foundation believes that community support makes all the difference in challenging times,” said Ann Colley, executive director and vice president of The Moore Charitable Foundation. “There has been tremendous local support so far, and we are proud to participate in the effort to assist people impacted by the Animas River Spill and to help prepare the relief fund for the next challenge. We hope that this matching grant inspires more people to contribute.”

The relief fund is housed within the Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado, a 501c3 non-profit organization designed to serve the local community through various endowment funds and grants. The Community Foundation preserves the integrity of the process of fund distribution and provides a safety net for the next emergency.

“Although the river’s surface water is returning to pre-spill levels, local businesses, especially those in the tourism industry, are still reeling financially from the spill,” said Briggen Wrinkle, executive director of the Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado. “As a community partner, we strongly encourage residents and businesses to come to the aid of their neighbors. This will not only help support businesses and employees currently struggling, but also assist with preparations for the next emergency.”

In the wake of the spill from Gold King Mine, the U.S. EPA reported spikes in heavy metals in the Animas River, but the agency has declared the area safe for people and wildlife. On September 23, the EPA announced that a water treatment plant would be installed to clean the water that continues to discharge from the Gold King Mine.

Community donations to the CERF are welcomed and encouraged. The Trinchera Blanca Foundation will match individual contributions up to a total of $5,000 until December 1, 2015. Checks should be made payable to “Community Foundation-Community Emergency Relief Fund” and mailed to the Foundation at P.O. Box 1673, Durango, CO 81302. Deposits may also be made directly at the Bank of the San Juans, and credit card donations can be made via the Community Foundation web site.