By Jonathan L'Ecuyer
With demand for help already reaching new heights this holiday season, food pantry and shelter directors say they hope those across Cape Ann lucky enough to enjoy Thanksgiving dinners at home today will also remember their less fortunate neighbors.
Statewide, there are an estimated 3,000 homeless families, noted Kay O'Rourke, executive director of Wellspring House. For 28 years, the Gloucester-based nonprofit has offered advocacy work and education programs along with emergency shelter, affordable housing, job training and family support.
Wellspring provided emergency shelter and affordable housing to 55 people, including 23 children, this year. An additional 104 at-risk families received cash assistance or referrals to other services to avoid falling into homelessness in fiscal 2009. Overall this year, Wellspring served more than 2,148 people.
"There is no question that the economy is driving these numbers as people are staying unemployed for long periods of time or their hours have been cut back significantly and they can't make ends meet anymore," O'Rourke said. "Wellspring House shelters five families at a time, and like all other shelters in the commonwealth, has not had an open bed for a year and a half."
So far, Cape Ann residents are keeping up with the increased demand.
While Wellspring has seen an increase in demand of about 15 percent for its Homeless Prevention Fund, it's also seen 20 percent more volunteers offering to donate meals. Every year, Wellspring provides holiday meals for about 150 families.
O'Rourke said Wellspring raises nearly 80 percent of its budget from private donations and grants.
"Last year, we were off about 20 percent, our donors are committed and stayed with us, but many had to reduce the amount of their giving because, like everyone, they had less to give," she said.
Recognizing that, Wellspring's board intentionally committed to maintaining services despite having less money by re-organizing and deferring maintenance.
"I am hopeful that giving will rebound this year," O'Rourke said. "Last year, people were just plain terrified and the uncertainty really paralyzed people. This year, people seem to have recognized that they are OK, counting their blessings, clearer about their priorities and what's important to them."
The story is the same at Gloucester's The Open Door, which serves residents of Gloucester, Essex, Ipswich, Manchester and Rockport, and where demand for food assistance is up 22 percent this year, Executive Director Julie LaFontaine said.
However, despite the worst recession since the 1930s, contributions are, so far, keeping pace with the need, she added.
"People from all corners of the community have responded to basic needs giving, and nothing is more basic than food," she said.
On Tuesday, The Open Door received an unexpected donation from Stop & Shop Supermarkets — complete turkey dinners for 100 families. The donation supports the pantry's goal of serving 700 families this Thanksgiving. With the donation, the pantry expects to exceed its Thanksgiving goal and provide meals for 800 families.
While the increased support around the holidays is always appreciated, LaFontaine said the pantry needs just as much help in February and beyond as now. Visits to the pantry rose 25 percent this year, she said.
Much of that increase, LaFontaine said, is attributed to clients who once donated items but, this year, find themselves in line to be on the receiving end.
"There is an age-old struggle between need and pride. By the time people get to The Open Door, need has prevailed," LaFontaine said. "This year, people who have contributed financially to The Open Door in the past have found themselves in the position of needing to ask for help. Andthat is why we are here, we give our neighbors the help they need to make ends meet."
In addition to food and shelter, area nonprofits and other groups are in great need of toys this holiday season.
Residents may also donate toys to the U.S. Marine Corps "Toys for Tots" program, which aims to collect new, unwrapped toys and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.
A popular Toys for Tots drop-off spot in Gloucester is George's Coffee Shop, where owner Dean Salah estimates 200 to 300 toys are donated annually.
Salah said employee Carol Horne proposed the idea of a drop box at the coffee shop a number of years ago. He agreed, and thousands of children have benefited from the project.
"I'm overwhelmed by the response," Salah said yesterday. "You have to see it to believe it. "We have the place filled with toys by the time the Marines pick them up; and the toys are all given out locally, which is why we really like this program."
When the coffee shop can no longer absorb the influx of toys — one woman recently donated 35 teddy bears — Salah stores them in his neighboring ice cream shop.
Salah says the generosity shown this year by the community "says something good about the Cape Ann area."
Toys for Tots donations can also be delivered to the AMVETS Post 32, FX day spa, Gloucester Fire Department, Latitude 43 restaurant, and Walgreens, as well as to the Manchester Fire Department on School Street and Beverly National Bank on Summer Street in Manchester.
The toy drive carries through Dec. 15.
Meanwhile, Wellspring House organizes a "Holiday Store" where local families in need may choose gifts for their families.
O'Rourke said the holiday store serves approximately 200 Cape Ann families and over 450 children.
Over at Action Inc., "Project Uplift," the annual Cape Ann holiday children's toy and clothing drive is seeking the help of businesses, organizations, families and individuals to sponsor toy and clothing collection points. The toy drive, now in its 18th year, is designed to provide toys for children who might not receive Christmas gifts.
A list of Project Uplift drop-off locations can be found on Action's Web site at http://actioninc.org/projectuplift.html.
Jonathan L'Ecuyer can be reached at 978-283-7000 x 3451 or jlecuyer@gloucestertimes.com.
HOW TO HELP
The Open Door
The most needed things right now are financial support, food donations, and professional services.
For more information, contact The Open Door on the Web at www.foodpantry.org; by e-mail at info@foodpantry.org; by phone at 978-283-6776; and at 28 Rear Emerson Ave, Gloucester, MA 01930.
Items most needed by The Open Door food pantry:
Peanut butter, spaghetti sauce, healthy snack items, canned tuna, chicken and turkey, soup and stews, canned vegetables, macaroni and cheese, canned fruits, breakfast cereal, rice, noodles and pasta, cake, muffin, and pancake mix, juices and juice boxes.
Wellspring
Sign up to help with holiday meals Dec. 3 to 11
In this "neighbor-to-neighbor" program, families or individuals who would be unable to purchase food to prepare a holiday meal are matched up with those who have called to donate. You may donate by shopping for and delivering the makings of a meal, which the recipient will prepare, or by donating $25 for the purchase of a food voucher for the family. To sign up to help, call Wellspring at 978-281-3221 ext. 0, on weekdays between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You may also mail your donation to holiday meals, Wellspring House, 302 Essex Ave., Gloucester, MA 01930, during the same dates.
Gift drop-off for holiday store: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 30 to Dec. 4 and Dec. 7
Shoppers pay 25 cents to $1 for each gift; Store revenue supports Wellspring programs. New, non-violent, unwrapped gifts for children from newborn to age 18 are needed. Wellspring also tries to ensure each child receives a new book and hat and mittens.
