This is one of a series of stories about the nonprofit agencies that receive money from The Gazette/El Pomar Foundation Empty Stocking Fund campaign that runs through the holidays.

In less than a month Ashley Green went from feeling as if she was drowning in debt to believing she could control her finances thanks to The Home Front Cares.

“They mean a lot to me. I got myself into a little bit of a debt issue,” she said. “They helped ensure I can put food on the table for my kids.”

The Home Front Cares provides emergency and responsive support and grants for Colorado service members, veterans and family members who have been impacted by deployment. A number of programs are available, including grants to families, energy assistance, adaptive housing and Welcome Home Heroes.

Green has been in the Air Force for almost seven years and is the mother of two children, ages 5 and 1. She said she learned about The Home Front Cares from the Airmen Family Readiness Center on base.

“You really don’t want it to get so bad that you feel like you’re drowning,” she said. “Ask for help because they do care.”

Green is receiving assistance to help pay her utility bills. She said the process involved her showing past utility and bank statements.

“They don’t judge you,” Green said. “They really do care.”

Once she knew her utilities would be paid, Green said the relief she felt was “extreme.”

“It now means I can actually get my kids something for Christmas,” she said. “It may not be as much as I would like, but now I know they will have something.”