A Community of Caring GNS is one of the largest nonprofits in Siskiyou County, with 30 employees and several regular volunteers. Our greatest asset is our team and one of […]
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Create a future in which even the most vulnerable members of the Siskiyou County community can live with dignity and ease.
A Community of Caring GNS is one of the largest nonprofits in Siskiyou County, with 30 employees and several regular volunteers. Our greatest asset is our team and one of […]
Since 1978 we've been helping people in Siskiyou County when they need it most. We've helped hungry children, independent seniors, small businesses, families, schools, neighborhoods ... even you. Learn about the programs we provide, the people who make it happen, and the impact you have on your community when you get involved.
Thank you for the opportunity to express my heartfelt appreciation for your Energy Assistance Program! Being disabled I spent the majority of the winter months in my apartment wearing a […]
2024 Energy Assistance applications are available! You can use this online form to request an application be sent to you through the mail You can call us to request an […]
More than 30,000 lunches have been served to kids in Siskiyou County over the past seven years through the U.S.D.A. Summer Food Program, which is administered by Great Northern Services. […]
The organic food is wonderful. Having the mini pantry allows us to be creative with meal prep, but it mostly helps us with snacks. If kids are hungry they tell us in a playful way that they are hangry (hungry-angry). We can fix that. The variety of stuff is great—the kids love it, especially the apple sauces & fruit pouches.
—Executive Director Boys & Girls Club of the Siskiyous
I am so impressed with the work and the workers. I have never seen a group of people in such harmony. The work is exceptional and the guys were wonderful. They worked hard and they were so kind.
—Melanie G.
“The GNS food programs in Dorris have helped so many of my clients—from the shut-ins to the young families with children. They all get excited when describing the produce.”
— Donna Crotty-Boyd, Service Coordinator for Far Northern Regional Center
You were awesome for doing our mobile! The “Crew” was beyond our expectations!!! After we were told 3 of the people were new, which we never would have known. Our power bills have gone down & no more freezing drafts! We can not thank Great Northern enough, thank you, thank you, thank you and many more. We are so blessed! – Anonymous
(I volunteer) to make sure people get what they deserve and that it gets done right. Most people come and go. Sometimes they come and sometimes they go. Everybody knows everybody…it helps every little bit.
Help the people, that’s all I know.
—Ron, Volunteer Commodities Site Coordinator, Seiad Valley
Do you know that this winter there was not a speck of moisture on the inside of the windows? I used to have to put towels down because when you opened the curtains in the morning there was frost all over the inside. The towels would catch it when it melted. But with the new windows the Weatherization department installed, now you can’t feel any cold air coming in.
—Amanda S. in Seiad Valley
If it weren’t for the help buying propane I would have been one cold puppy—it would have been a very tough winter. I’m a veteran with not too many benefits & on a fixed income. I was using my credit cards and getting into debt. I’ve been living here since ’71.
—Bill Buffalo from Weed, CA
The mini pantry has been a huge blessing for students and staff. The pantry allows us to nourish bodies so brains can work and takes the stress off the students and the teachers. It makes a huge difference in children’s behavior in the classroom.
—Kristen Riccomini, Title 1 teacher at Mt. Shasta Elementary
Weatherization on my apartment made quite a difference—I don’t even use the heater in the bedroom anymore, just the main room on the lowest setting. We’re near the river and we could always hear the train, but after GNS put in double pane windows and insulation it cut out all the noise. I’d gotten used to it after so many years in the apartment, now I wake up in the middle of the night because it’s too quiet.
—Nacho M. in Dunsmuir
“We’re looking forward to winter now that we have the insulation in the attic. We can’t sing enough praises for the GNS staff.”
— Jim and Mary Taylor, Weed
The staff and clients of Siskiyou Opportunity Center look forward to serving the community each year through the Tailgate Produce Party. This experience is super important to our clients, they love the interaction with the public and especially love serving the produce. Our staff, their children and other family members also participate in sorting, distributing and help deliver food to the people’s vehicles. This is a wonderful experience for all of us! Thank you!
—Kristina Jackson, Program Director of Community Endeavors, Siskiyou Opportunity Center
I used to own a construction company in Michigan. I give the GNS Weatherization Crew an excellent score. They did a great job and cleaned as they went along. We’ve been freezing since last October and now we’re not.
—Naida H. in Yreka
Energy Assistance makes a huge difference to me. I’m on Social Security & it’s not much. I have to watch every penny I spend—even with the assistance. Having Great Northern Services help with my power bill frees up money for food. Claudia has gone out of her way not just this year but in the past. She really heard my situation, took it to heart, and was so helpful. She’s awesome.
—Don P. from Mt. Shasta, CA
“Health problems have made it difficult to make ends meet. GNS’s food programs have allowed us to continue to feed our family when we could not meet our basic needs. For this we are extremely grateful”
— The Trail Family, Yreka
“Thanks so much for the weatherization of my home. What a wonderful service that is to have in our area! The fellows were very friendly and neat. They are a huge asset to your company.”
— Sharon Young, Yreka
The application process is much easier now than it used to be. I went to get an application on my lunch break, came back, and Dodi came around to get it from me—she was really sweet. It was just a couple of weeks before the oil company got the check and I got the oil—it didn’t take long at all. Everybody falls hard on their luck sometimes, and GNS is always willing to help. No one was ever rude or snotty; they are always nice.
— Annie P. from Weed, CA