For over four decades, Craig’s Community Budget Center has supported residents of Moffat County with the necessities to make ends meet. 

Founded in 1980, the 501(c)(3) organization has evolved from its small thrift store status into a vital regional hub for emergency assistance and community support. Even as prices and financial instability rise, CBC has remained committed to be a place where residents of the Yampa Valley can access the assistance they need to ensure their most basic needs are met.

Kristin Skowronski, a longtime board member who also served in various executive roles within the organization, has witnessed the organization’s transformation. 

“I joined the board in 2018 after participating in a leadership program through the Steamboat Springs Chamber of Commerce,” Skowronski said. “Initially, it was just to observe how a board functioned, but the CBC needed members, and after a few meetings, they asked if I’d stay. The rest is history.”

Skowronski explained that the Budget Center recently went through a process of “re-visioning” in an effort to update its mission and increase effectiveness by understanding the needs of individuals, as well as the community, in a more in-depth manner.

The revision was sparked by leadership changes and a desire to secure broader funding sources, helping the organization become eligible for more grants. The increase in grant funding has allowed the organization to have an even deeper impact than before. 

It has also bolstered one of the main objectives of the center, which is to provide emergency financial assistance to those struggling to pay for essential needs.

“The organization was founded on the idea of using thrift store sales to help people pay their bills, and that remains central to our work today,” Skowronski said. 

Assistance includes everything from help with rent or utilities to sudden unforeseen financial emergencies. Applicants complete a form and meet with CBC’s director, Vince Mooney, to determine what sort of assistance can be provided. 

“It’s not just about paying one bill — it’s about creating a sustainable solution for the individual or family,” Skowronski said. 

The increase in funding preceded a recent shift in the types of households seeking assistance. 

“We’ve always had a lot of requests, but now we’re seeing more middle-class families who never needed help before,” Skowronski said. “It used to be predominantly lower-income families, but now we have people who were doing fine until recent economic changes hit them.”

Skowronski believes that the causes of this increased need are multifaceted.

As inflation has driven up the cost of living nationwide, the local transition away from coal combined with rising prices to create a perfect storm for residents, as well as the Budget Center.

“With the mines preparing to shut down, many families are facing economic uncertainty,” she said. “It’s not just about rising prices, it’s about an entire job market shifting beneath people’s feet.”

Despite this increase in need, the center has remained committed to maintaining and promoting accountability while distributing funds. 

The organization uses Charity Tracker, which documents and monitors assistance requests of individuals across non-profit groups, thus ensuring fairness while also preventing abuse of the system. 

“We never give money directly to individuals. We pay landlords, utility companies or provide gas cards and bus passes,” Skowronski said, noting that such a system ensures aid is directed toward legitimate needs. 

Extensive collaboration with other local organizations such as The Health Partnership, Love INC and even the jail, has allowed CBC to bolster its levels of support.

“When someone is released from jail with nothing, they’re often brought to us for clothing and basic necessities,” Skowronski said.

The organization also works with hotels for emergency lodging and helps individuals access statewide programs like the Low Income Energy Assistance Program.

Now, as CBC looks to expand its funding efforts, it is hosting its first-ever silent auction.  

“Historically, we’ve never done standalone fundraisers,” Skowronski said. “Our thrift store has always been our main source of revenue. But, we wanted to explore new ways to raise funds and engage the community.”

The silent auction, which began on March 1, features a wide selection of items. As of March 16, it had raised $1,060 toward its goal of $5,000. 

“We’ve collected some high-end donations over time, things that were too nice to just put on the shelves,” Skowronski said. “We have vintage, collectible items…as well as generous donations from local businesses like Sisters Liquor, Fiesta Jalisco and Hana Healing. It’s a mix of unique and practical items.”

All auction proceeds will go directly toward CBC’s assistance programs. 

To celebrate the auction’s conclusion, the Community Budget Center is hosting a mixer from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Yampa Building, 775 Yampa Ave.

“It’s a chance to connect, have some fun with door prizes and games and bring the community together,” Skowronski said. “This is a moment for the community to give back to an organization that has been giving for so long.”

Reflecting on CBC’s role in Craig and Moffat County, Skowronski noted that its work would not be possible if it wasn’t for the deep generosity of the region’s residents. 

“Maybe we don’t have the big-dollar donors like some other places, but what we do have is a community that looks out for one another,” she said. “That’s what keeps CBC going and that’s what makes Moffat County special.”

The Budget Center also plays a crucial role in sustainability by reducing waste while also encouraging community-based recycling. 

“People don’t always think about this, but we keep a lot of items from prematurely entering the waste stream,” Skowronski said. “The thrift store is a key part of the reuse and recycle cycle, ensuring that perfectly good items find new homes instead of ending up in the landfill.”

As CBC continues to adapt to the ever-evolving needs of the community, its mission remains clear —to provide a safety net for those in need while fostering the spirit of giving that the area is known for. With the silent auction underway, and a renewed vision for the future, the Community Budget Center stands ready to support individuals in need for years to come.

“We support our region through resource connection, humanitarian services and access to equitable assistance for those in need,” Skowronski closed. “We envision a region where all basic needs are met and supported.”

To view the items which Community Budget Center has available during their fundraiser, please visit 32auctions.com/CBCauction2025.