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Hi all,
I'm writing today with news of an exciting community challenge to
#PayItForward. This effort encourages those who can to donate some or all of your stimulus funds to support those in the community who are struggling the most right now.
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Volunteers sorting produce |
We've recently heard from several community members who decide
d to donate some or all of their stimulus checks. One person wrote
"I'm lucky enough to still have a job, so I want to help those who don't."
Another person shared that
"The money didn't really feel like mine yet, I was glad to be able to
use it to help others."
A third donor said,
"I'm using most of my check to pay bills, but I have a little bit to spare.
There are a lot of people who don't even have food right now, so I want to do what I can."
They all said it felt great.
So, following their lead,
a group of amazing community members have issued a challenge!
They will contribute an
extra $100
for each of the
first 100 #PayItForward gifts of $100 or more
.
If at least 100 of you decide to #PayItForward with a contribution of $100, $250, $600 or $1,000, you will generate an additional
$10,000 in challenge funds, and
raise at least $35,000 to put food on the tables of our neighbors.
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Providing lunch, produce and bread to roughly 150 people per day.
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Giving out even more food from our Food Pantry, especially to families with school age kids who are missing out on school-provided meals.
We will be giving extra kid-friendly groceries to each family starting in May.
- Providing more fresh fruits and vegetables! Families have been asking for more quantity and variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, so we plan to increase produce provided by 30-50%.
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Delivering food. We
doubled
the number of seniors receiving delivery in April, and plan to expand to two new towns in May. We are building new partnerships to deliver groceries right to a number of apartment complexes, reaching many people (of all ages) who can no longer borrow a car or ride the bus to get here.
- Connecting people to resources, such as information and access to a volunteer accountant to help folks get their stimulus checks.
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We also need... Reusable Face Masks!
Reusable Face Masks- We are giving face masks out to participants who need them and we need lots more! Please see
www.amherstsurvival.org/COVID19
for instructions.
Thank you so much!
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If you need help getting your stimulus check
(because you are currently homeless, need to update your bank information, didn't file taxes/are not receiving SSI, etc.),
We have information and can connect you to a volunteer accountant to help you file a simple return to get your funds.
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Lunch distribution
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Thank you to all of you who have made contributions, sewn masks, delivered food, stocked groceries, and passed out lunches. Your care for each other is the bright spot amidst this deeply troubling time.
I hope that you and yours are healthy and well.
In appreciation,
Lev Ben-Ezra, Executive Director
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Current Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 11-3
Amherst Survival Center | PO Box 9629, 138 Sunderland Road | North Amherst, MA 01059
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