Angel was in so much pain, she couldn’t sit down.

As she stood in the office at Issaquah Community Services and told her story, organization volunteers realized that as well as physical pain, she was overcome with emotional pain too.

Angel, who did not give her last name to maintain her anonymity, explained that she had been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease years ago that was getting progressively worse.

Though she was able to continue working to support herself and children when she was diagnosed, as her symptoms progressed she was unable to work at all. Her only income was a disability benefit. By that time, her children were grown and able to support themselves.

When she spoke with Issaquah Community Services volunteers, she said she needed help paying her electric bill — the one bill she struggles with every month. She qualifies for low-income rent and receives food stamps every month.

The nonprofit was able to offer assistance with her bill and provided her with additional resources that would help her in the future.

Issaquah Community Services Board President Lori Birrell said the organization helps many people who grapple with “the last straw.” People who struggle to make ends meet, who have an unexpected illness, their car breaks down or an appliance breaks.

The organization has helped an Issaquah School District teacher who struggled paying rent, to postal workers and health care employees who live in the community who need assistance paying their utility bills.

This week, Issaquah Community Services is launching its annual fundraiser, Merry Christmas Issaquah and Sammamish. This is the organization’s only fundraiser that supports its mission each year.

“Thanksgiving is a time to reflect and be thankful for all that we have. At Issaquah Community Services (ICS), we are very thankful for all of our generous donors,” Birrell said in a statement. “Without your support, hundreds of local families would be at risk of eviction. Many of our clients are elderly or families with young or school age children. We have experienced an increase in the numbers of families requesting rent assistance this year, due to rising rent costs.”

For the last three months, community services, which has served the community since 1973, has experienced a 26 percent growth in the number of Issaquah and Sammamish families who need the organization’s help. Community services paid nearly $50,000 of financial assistance on their behalf to rental and utility companies.

During the past year, the organization was able to provide assistance to 436 households in Issaquah and Sammamish, consisting of 487 adults and 555 children. Donations from last year’s fundraiser helped 248 households avoid evictions from their homes, 105 avoid utility shut-off and assisted 83 families with transportation, medical and other needs. The organization pays rental and utility companies directly.

This year, the organization hopes to raise $100,000 through its Merry Christmas Issaquah and Sammamish fundraiser.

To donate, visit issaquahcommunityservices.org and click on “donate.” For more information, contact Issaquah Community Services at 425-837-3125.