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Quarterly
View From The Bridge
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A Pelican Landing/Colony-based charity assisting neighbors in need when there is nowhere else to turn
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Making a Difference
2023 in Review
In the early months of 2023, it seemed that the worst of the fallout from Hurricane Ian was behind us. But as the year proceeded, we found that need was escalating, especially for housing and utilities payments. Through it all, The Bridge Fund (TBF) was there for those who had nowhere else to turn.
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Housing—2023’s Biggest Challenge
TBF's support for housing expenses in 2023 increased 136% from 2022, and Hurricane Ian deserves much of the blame. Damaged and destroyed residential units caused rents elsewhere to rise beyond the reach of many locals. Over 300 families or individual tenants were helped by TBF with housing, an increase of 86% over the prior year.
In addition to the typical pre-hurricane reasons for housing crises—job loss, relationship changes, illness, sale of rental property, etc.—new challenges faced our most vulnerable local residents:
- Families whose homes were destroyed and were temporarily living with friends or relatives had to find new housing.
- Landlords rented single rooms to families that weren’t livable for the long term.
- When rent increases made current housing too expensive to maintain, families became homeless due to up-front payments and deposits that they were unable to pay.
Thanks to you...
A family with three young children has been able to get into a new apartment after a several month period of living in their car due to flooding in their prior home.
A mom was residing in a hotel or her vehicle with her daughter, a high school student. Their previous residence was sold and the new owner significantly raised the rent, pricing them out of their home. With your help, mom is renting a new affordable apartment.
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Utility Costs on the Rise
Both electricity and water bills have risen during the past year, and additional increases are approved for the next several years. When combined with the higher cost of rent and food, many families have been forced to make difficult choices.
Thanks to you…
The lights stayed on and a parent wrote: “It means so much to us that you were able to help us when others were unable to. I have been so worried about what we were going to do if we lost our power. From the bottom of my family’s heart, thank you so much.”
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Beds and Bedding Replaced
The need for beds and bedding increased 55% over 2022, after Hurricane Ian’s flood waters left mattresses water damaged or mold-infested. A special Bridge Fund project, “Off the Floor,” provided hundreds of fresh, dry beds to both adults and children.
Thanks to you…
"The Impact the Bridge Fund has had in our community has been unimaginable. With [your] kindness, we have the opportunity to serve other needs in our community. With TBF's help, we were able to provide 30 beds and more to Ian survivors. This has put the families in the path of recovery, TBF's partnership has been a blessing to our mission." Agency Case Manager
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School Food Pantries and Clothes Closets – In 2021,TBF began programs to fund food pantries and clothes closets in public schools. The number has nearly doubled to over 50 schools in 2023. Families have access to emergency meal supplies, and kids can get new school tops and bottoms that fit.
Infant and Toddler Needs – As the cost of living has increased, parents find it more difficult to provide necessities for their children—like car seats, baby beds and diapers. TBF support for these items doubled from the prior year.
Transportation - TBF provided gas cards, needed car repairs, car payments and insurance, and licenses and registrations for many individuals to enable them to either keep or get a job.
Thanks to you…
"When my car broke down on my first day at work, it seemed I would lose that opportunity due to lack of transportation. I felt hopeless & helpless. When I found out that I was approved by [TBF] to help me with the repairs of the car I was immensely grateful & relieved."
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Impact of our Pelican Landing/
Colony-based Charity
Type of Help Provided in 2023
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98% of all donations is available to meet community needs.
In 2023, over 700 families were positively impacted because of your support. TBF has provided bedding, shelter, medical, hurricane relief, education and other assistance—Neighbors Helping Neighbors in Need
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You Made a Difference!
"I really hope to one day pay it forward, what you guys did for us, to another family in need. So thank you a million times over. Continue to do what you do. It's making a difference, tremendously."
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The Bridge Fund
A Pelican Landing/Colony-based 501(c)(3) charity
assisting neighbors in need
Board Members: Mike Beebe, President; Beverly Haas, Vice President; Jim Herald, Vice President; Ann Soper, Secretary/Treasurer, Caroline Crew, Asst. Secretary; Sandy Mellinger, Asst. Treasurer; Aileen Kevane, Bob Taylor, Jay Trucks; and Ron Bloom.
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