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Quarterly
View From The Bridge
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"Neighbors helping neighbors in need by bridging the gaps that exist in our local support systems." |
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What's Happening
Summertime is here, and we hope that your “livin’ is easy,” whether you’ve gone north, are off on vacation, visiting family, or have stayed local and are enjoying SWFL’s slow season!
However, another population of local residents will have a difficult time this summer as they face seasonal layoffs, lack of childcare, heat-related challenges, and more. But thanks to our supporters, no matter the season, The Bridge Fund (TBF) is here to provide critical and emergency assistance—24/7 and 365 days a year.
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Housing Challenges
Since our Spring mailing, much of our activity has involved family and individual needs for housing assistance—rent and move-in costs; temporary, emergency motel stays; and utility bills. During the first six months of 2023, this type of help accounted for 57% of the total assistance paid by TBF, up from 43% in 2022.
With ongoing Hurricane Ian-related housing shortages attributable to many properties being destroyed or needing extensive repairs, there are fewer available rentals and rents have substantially increased. Residents who could manage on-going expenses are unable to afford moving costs plus higher rents. The number of housing-related approvals spiked to 172 in the first half of 2023, a dramatic increase from 96 approvals in the same period of 2022. We expect this situation to continue for some time.
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A Thanks for Your Help
A single mom with a young daughter had nowhere else to turn when TBF was asked for help. With her work hours cut, and the car needing an unexpected repair, she was unable to pay rent and facing eviction. Thanks to a coordinated effort between Partner Eva’s Closet and TBF, a check was in the landlord’s hands by the 5:00 pm deadline. Mom wanted you to know what this help meant to her:
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"I would like to say more than thank you. Those words sound too simple for the help you gave to me and my daughter. I fight everyday not to let her down. I was at my breaking point, I couldn't get help anywhere. I felt like I failed her so even though you may feel this is just a financial assistance it was so much more. So from the bottom of my heart thank you to everyone involved with this gift." |
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When school’s in session, students get free breakfast and lunch. But what happens when parents struggle to feed their children after the school doors close for summer? TBF is helping two of our Partners tackle kids’ summer food insufficiency with healthy snack programs.
Café of Life, with the support of TBF’s Colony Project, is providing snack bags to kids at risk of hunger when school meals aren’t available. Each bag contains one apple, one water bottle, one mozzarella cheese stick, and one granola bar. The goal is to give kids a filling snack while they learn healthy food habits.
Another partner, Community Cooperative, is distributing “Hungry Hungry Kiddo Kits” through their mobile pantries and Community Market to families needing extra kid-friendly food. Items include a variety of self-serve favorites like fruit cups, granola, breakfast bars, individual cereals, and other shelf-table, healthy treats that kids will enjoy eating.
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Our Partners: At the Heart of What We Do |
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How does TBF—a small, local, all-volunteer organization—manage to touch the lives of thousands of neighbors in need every year?
Our unique operational model is the answer. TBF works through Partners (public schools and non-profit agencies). If they determine that a neighbor’s need is valid, but that they are unable to meet it alone, we want them to remember that they can turn to TBF. This relationship depends on mutual trust, so we were very pleased to have received these words from one of our Partners:
“I can’t thank you all enough for the professional assistance and the diligence, generosity and kindness that the The Bridge Fund exceeds every time I reach out and ask for help. Please extend my gratitude and that of my clients to all who help bring healing to our communities.”
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All of us at TBF thank you for being a part of our Bridge Fund Family. We'll connect with you again in the Fall! |
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The Bridge Fund
A Pelican Landing/Colony-based 501(c)(3) charity
assisting neighbors in need since 2013
Board Members: Mike Beebe, President; Jim Herald, Vice President; Beverly Haas, Vice President; Ann Soper, Secretary and Treasurer; Ron Bloom, Caroline Crew, Aileen Kevane, Sandy Mellinger, Bob Taylor, and Jay Trucks
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