MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Despite budget cuts and layoffs, Catholic Charities said Friday that it intends to keep its Middletown office open and continue food distribution as part of the Rural Food Program.

The nonprofit organization reported that it served 35,000 people in Northern California counties through 22 programs – including food distribution – last year, and has offices Santa Rosa, Napa and Middletown.

Questions about the program arose earlier this week when it was announced that, due to budget cuts, the regional director position at the Middletown office was eliminated. The job had been held by Hedy Montoya.

In the wake of that important layoff, there were concerns that the office at 21085 Bush St. in Middletown – where the office had moved earlier this year – might close.

However, on Friday, in response to questions from Lake County News, Catholic Charities Executive Director Chuck Fernandez issued an “unequivocal” statement that the organization has no intention of closing its Middletown office.

“We are not closing this office and did not intend to do so,” he said. “We will continue to distribute food in Kelseyville and Middletown with the help of volunteers.”

While affirming that the agency has had some layoffs due to budget constraints, he reinforced that the Rural Food Program will continue to collect, buy and distribute food to feed people in need in Lake County.

“The program has always operated primarily on volunteer energy and community donations,” Fernandez said. “We still need the charitable donations of time and funds from people in Lake who want to help their neighbors in need. They will still see our Rural Food truck come over the mountain with food resources twice each month to distribute in Kelseyville and Middletown.”

Catholic Charities’ Rural Food distributions take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 21085 Bush St. in Middletown, on the third Wednesday of every month, and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Glebe Hall at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Kelseyville, 4085 Main St., on the fourth Monday of every month. The November Kelseyville distribution will take place on Monday, Nov. 21, due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

For information about the program call Linda at 707-528-8712, Extension 103.

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