The Riverside County Board of Supervisors approved a $15,000 agreement to provide assistance to low-income victims of the Mountain Fire.

The state’s Department of Community Services is providing the funds to the Community Action Partnership of Riverside County that can help these people with mortgages, rentals, utility or food costs, according to Colleen Meyer, client services administrator at the Idyllwild HELP Center.

“This is a really great program,” said Meyer. “It’s not an either/or grant; rent or utilities. The recipients can do whatever they need, such as pay for prescriptions because of the extra cost of gas to evacuate or lost food.”

Food vouchers worth $100 each will be available to families through the HELP Center.

In addition to this grant, Riverside County Third District Supervisor Jeff Stone has given $5,000 to the HELP Center for fire victims’ food and utility expenses.

CAP requested the state funding after several discussions with the HELP Center about how the fire cost many people, even if homes were not lost. Lost wages, wasted food and other inconveniences were some of the examples of the fire’s effects.

Individuals or families who may need help may call Meyer at 951-659-2110.

Other coming events at the HELP Center are:

• Sept. 20: Women, Infants and Children program will be in Idyllwild to provide food vouchers.

• Oct. 8: CAP will be in Idyllwild to help with winter utility costs.