Dear Friends,
Another summer is nearing. What does that mean in our community? It means kids are home more! For many families, this translates to increased childcare costs, increased food costs or even increased cooling costs to keep everyone comfortable during the hottest times. Not every budget can withstand the summertime bill fluctuation. The Caring Place has always provided a safety net for families during the summer. We encourage neighbors to come to us for supplemental food or to assist with bills if the burden is greater than they can handle. Making sure our neighbors are provided with the most basic care is critical this summer and all year long.
This issue of Another Month of Caring reiterates how you can help us provide this care as it always does. Still, we want to emphasize a couple of things, like our Donation hours have expanded and we can now take your non-perishable food donations. These simple actions support the work The Caring Place is doing throughout the year.
Why? Because your care is what often keeps families afloat. By the end of March of this year, our Food Pantry had already provided over 8,000 neighbors with supplemental groceries. Our Healthy Options Program for the Elderly saw a 486% increase in enrollment. Clothing vouchers, transportation support and medical bill assistance are all areas with increased use this year.
So as you begin your summer of vacations and summer schedules, keep in mind the small gestures that make a difference to others in our community. Also, keep reading for resources you can share with The Caring Place's updated information.
Blessings,
Ginna O'Connor
Executive Director
