The West Boylston Community Food Pantry, 26 Central St., is in need of donations of paper products, like toilet paper and paper towels, as well as food items. The pantry is open every third Tuesday from 3 to 6 p.m.
Donations can be dropped off when the pantry is open or by calling the church office at 508-835-4462 to make arrangements.
News, events, and commentary about where and how to help, where to get assistance if you need it, advocacy, donations and more.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Homeless and Disabled Kids Have Education Rights
School systems need to identify school-age children who may be homeless. These students have certain educational rights under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act. The McKinney Act ensures homeless children transportation to and from school free of charge, allowing children to attend their school of origin (last school enrolled or the school they attended when they first become homeless) regardless of what district the family resides in. It further requires schools to register homeless children even if they lack normally required documents, such as immunization records or proof of residence.
If you can identify a homeless child who is not receiving educational services, please have the parents or an interested person - including yourself - contact their local school system.
If you can identify a homeless child who is not receiving educational services, please have the parents or an interested person - including yourself - contact their local school system.
Playtime Volunteers Needed for Homeless Children
Horizons for Homeless Children is seeking fun-loving, dependable people to interact and play with children living in family homeless shelters and domestic violence shelters throughout Central Massachusetts.
A commitment of two hours a week is required for at least six months. Day and evening hours are available.
Visit Horizons for Homeless Children for more information.
A commitment of two hours a week is required for at least six months. Day and evening hours are available.
Visit Horizons for Homeless Children for more information.
Senate Thinks Ahead With 2012 Budget
In a vote just before midnight on Thursday, the Senate approved a $29.2 billion spending plan for fiscal 2012 that calls for widespread cuts in state services, sharp reductions in public health care funding.
Because no new taxes are included, up to $1.5 billion in cutbacks were needed to make up for the loss of federal stimulus money used each of the last three years. As a result, the budget calls for $772 million in reduced spending for MassHealth, the state's Medicaid program for low-income residents, and cuts in 200 other line items, while level-funding state aid to local schools. State aid for municipal operations would be cut by $65 million.
Health care savings will come from curtailed services, reductions in nursing home and medical care reimbursement rate, as well as savings from changes in state employee health care to divert more workers to lower cost insurance plans.
In a sign that the legislature is thinking ahead to the reality of the economy and the result of some of these cutbacks, the budget adds $30 million in spending over the House's plan for the Department of Mental Health, including in-patient care, and it fully funds Clubhouses, which are community centers for people with mental illness. It also boosts funding for veterans' outreach services and homeless shelter funding by 50 percent, and supports new veteran peer counseling programs.
Because no new taxes are included, up to $1.5 billion in cutbacks were needed to make up for the loss of federal stimulus money used each of the last three years. As a result, the budget calls for $772 million in reduced spending for MassHealth, the state's Medicaid program for low-income residents, and cuts in 200 other line items, while level-funding state aid to local schools. State aid for municipal operations would be cut by $65 million.
Health care savings will come from curtailed services, reductions in nursing home and medical care reimbursement rate, as well as savings from changes in state employee health care to divert more workers to lower cost insurance plans.
In a sign that the legislature is thinking ahead to the reality of the economy and the result of some of these cutbacks, the budget adds $30 million in spending over the House's plan for the Department of Mental Health, including in-patient care, and it fully funds Clubhouses, which are community centers for people with mental illness. It also boosts funding for veterans' outreach services and homeless shelter funding by 50 percent, and supports new veteran peer counseling programs.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Gardeners "Grow a Row" For Food Pantries
We learned today about a wonderful program in Hamilton and Wenham, through which gardeners in the community are growing an extra row of crops this summer for donation to the local food pantry.
The "Grow a Row" project of Hamilton-Wenham Green, a citizens group focused on sustainability, kicked off this week and has 25 participants so far. Local families have agreed to plant an extra row of tomatoes, lettuce and/or carrots, and donate the produce to Acord Food Pantry in Hamilton. The project's goal this summer is to raise and donate 300 lbs. of crops
For more information on Hamilton-Wenham Green and the "Grow a Row" program, or to sign up, visit www.hwgreen.org
For more information on the Acord Food Pantry in Hamilton, visit www.Acordfoodpantry.org or call 978-468-7424.
The "Grow a Row" project of Hamilton-Wenham Green, a citizens group focused on sustainability, kicked off this week and has 25 participants so far. Local families have agreed to plant an extra row of tomatoes, lettuce and/or carrots, and donate the produce to Acord Food Pantry in Hamilton. The project's goal this summer is to raise and donate 300 lbs. of crops
For more information on Hamilton-Wenham Green and the "Grow a Row" program, or to sign up, visit www.hwgreen.org
For more information on the Acord Food Pantry in Hamilton, visit www.Acordfoodpantry.org or call 978-468-7424.
A New Name for Wormansplace Crisis Center
Womansplace Crisis Center of Brockton has a new name and a new website at www.anewdayma.org. Now renamed "A New Day," the organization still provides free and confidential crisis counseling and advocacy for women dealing with violence or sexual assault.
Offices are located in Brockton, Plymouth and Quincy.
A New Day, Formerly Womansplace Crisis Center
950 W. Chestnut Street
Brockton, MA 02301
Office: 508-588-2045
Fax: 508-588-0034
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Pine Street Inn's Downie Named to Globe Innovator's List
Congratulations to Lyndia Downie, President of the Pine Street Inn, on being named one of the 30 most innovative people in Massachusetts by the Boston Globe. A 30-year employee of the shelter, Ms. Downie has been at the helm since 2000.
According to the article, "Downie and her staff began reducing the number of emergency beds in favor of providing the shelter’s most vulnerable clients with long-term housing and support. Today, about half of Pine Street’s beds are in permanent housing. That initiative has helped contribute to a roughly 30 percent drop in Boston’s homeless population in the last five years."
According to the article, "Downie and her staff began reducing the number of emergency beds in favor of providing the shelter’s most vulnerable clients with long-term housing and support. Today, about half of Pine Street’s beds are in permanent housing. That initiative has helped contribute to a roughly 30 percent drop in Boston’s homeless population in the last five years."
Know your senator and local representative
Here are the basics about your representation at the State House.
Every citizen of Massachusetts is represented by one senator and one local representative.
There are 40 state senators, each representing a district of about 159,000 people.
There are 160 state representatives, each representing a smaller district of about 40,000 people.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Clinton Area Hunger Walk is May 28th
CLINTON — WHEAT, the Item Appeal and the St. Vincent de Paul Society are hoping for a good turnout for this year's Walk for Hunger on Saturday, May 28. The walk leaves from St. John's Gym on Chestnut Street in Clinton at 10 a.m. Registration begins at 9 a.m.
With a downturn in the economy, all three organizations are receiving fewer donations and more requests for goods and services.
“It's just tough keeping the (food pantry) shelves full,” said Donna Jarvis, assistant to the executive director of WHEAT. “The Walk for Hunger this year is more important that it's ever been.”
Jarvis said WHEAT is regularly serving 50 to 60 people at its Community Café in Clinton, which provides free meals six days a week. The amount of people is up from 40 last year. She estimates that the food pantry see 20 to 30 requests for food each of the four days it is open.
Paul Keane, president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which also has a food pantry and provides help for families in need, said that he's seeing the same trend.
“We desperately need help because we have more people than ever asking for help,” he said.
Carol Ann Hamilton, board member of the Item Appeal said in a prepared statement, “2011 has been a very difficult year, not only for the Item Appeal, but other local agencies that assist those in need.
“This year has seen more requests for various types of assistance, which in turn has just about depleted the funds for the Appeal. The declining economy touches everyone,” she said.
Jarvis agreed. “The donations that we get are cut,” she said, adding that even people who give have less to give this year, due to the increase in gas and food prices. “A lot of it is due for the economy.”
This is the seventh Walk for Hunger. The walk has raised $65,000 for those in need locally since 2005, Keane said. The five-mile walk begins and ends at St. John's Gym.
“We want to encourage as many walkers as possible to reach out and get as many donors as possible,” Keane said. He also suggested that friends and co-workers form teams and walk together.
For those who are not sure they can walk five miles, there will be a walk around Clinton's Central Park. In this way, many senior citizens, small children and people with disabilities participate in this Health Walk. “Every step counts,” Keene said.
The organizations are also asking for volunteers in the community to man water stations and for businesses to help with the costs of the walk. Fire Water and Wine, of Bolton, has donated five cases of water and 10 bags of ice; and Dunn and Company has donated all of the printing for the event.
Every donation, said Jarvis, reduces the cost of the walk and ensures more money makes it into the community. “I would love to see it break $10,000,” she said.
Keanne said it is often hard to think that, in this day, local residents are going without nutrition and proper clothing, but “We see that every day between these three organizations,” he said. “We're asking people to please be generous this year.”
How to get involved
Walkers must get sponsors to pledge money as part of the Walk for Hunger. There are three ways to get sponsorship forms. They are:
Online: www.wheatcommunity.org
By Phone: Call Donna Jarvis at (978) 365-6349.
In Person: 500 Main St., Suite 203, Clinton.
If you cannot walk five miles, there is a Health Walk around Clinton Central Park.
Those who do not wish to walk are encouraged to volunteer or donate to the walk.
With a downturn in the economy, all three organizations are receiving fewer donations and more requests for goods and services.
“It's just tough keeping the (food pantry) shelves full,” said Donna Jarvis, assistant to the executive director of WHEAT. “The Walk for Hunger this year is more important that it's ever been.”
Jarvis said WHEAT is regularly serving 50 to 60 people at its Community Café in Clinton, which provides free meals six days a week. The amount of people is up from 40 last year. She estimates that the food pantry see 20 to 30 requests for food each of the four days it is open.
Paul Keane, president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which also has a food pantry and provides help for families in need, said that he's seeing the same trend.
“We desperately need help because we have more people than ever asking for help,” he said.
Carol Ann Hamilton, board member of the Item Appeal said in a prepared statement, “2011 has been a very difficult year, not only for the Item Appeal, but other local agencies that assist those in need.
“This year has seen more requests for various types of assistance, which in turn has just about depleted the funds for the Appeal. The declining economy touches everyone,” she said.
Jarvis agreed. “The donations that we get are cut,” she said, adding that even people who give have less to give this year, due to the increase in gas and food prices. “A lot of it is due for the economy.”
This is the seventh Walk for Hunger. The walk has raised $65,000 for those in need locally since 2005, Keane said. The five-mile walk begins and ends at St. John's Gym.
“We want to encourage as many walkers as possible to reach out and get as many donors as possible,” Keane said. He also suggested that friends and co-workers form teams and walk together.
For those who are not sure they can walk five miles, there will be a walk around Clinton's Central Park. In this way, many senior citizens, small children and people with disabilities participate in this Health Walk. “Every step counts,” Keene said.
The organizations are also asking for volunteers in the community to man water stations and for businesses to help with the costs of the walk. Fire Water and Wine, of Bolton, has donated five cases of water and 10 bags of ice; and Dunn and Company has donated all of the printing for the event.
Every donation, said Jarvis, reduces the cost of the walk and ensures more money makes it into the community. “I would love to see it break $10,000,” she said.
Keanne said it is often hard to think that, in this day, local residents are going without nutrition and proper clothing, but “We see that every day between these three organizations,” he said. “We're asking people to please be generous this year.”
How to get involved
Walkers must get sponsors to pledge money as part of the Walk for Hunger. There are three ways to get sponsorship forms. They are:
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Greater Boston Food Bank's "Chefs in Shorts"
Friday, June 24, 2011
7:00pm - 9:30pm
Seaport Boston Hotel
200 Seaport Boulevard, Boston
Ticket price includes beer, wine & tastings
Don't miss the annual Chefs in Shorts event which brings together a group of the region's leading chefs who fire up the grills and create their favorite dishes during this outdoor, summer-in-the-city BBQ to benefit The Greater Boston Food Bank.
7:00pm - 9:30pm
Seaport Boston Hotel
200 Seaport Boulevard, Boston
Ticket price includes beer, wine & tastings
Don't miss the annual Chefs in Shorts event which brings together a group of the region's leading chefs who fire up the grills and create their favorite dishes during this outdoor, summer-in-the-city BBQ to benefit The Greater Boston Food Bank.
Greater Boston Food Bank Fundraiser at Harpoon Brewery
STEP INTO SUMMER with The Food Bank's Kitchen Cabinet
Thursday, June 9, 2011
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Harpoon Brewery
306 Northern Avenue, Boston
The Greater Boston Food Bank's Kitchen Cabinet invites you to STEP INTO SUMMER with them along with Brooke Vosika, Executive Chef, Four Seasons Hotel Boston & The Bristol Lounge Boston, Burger Battle Champion 2010 & 2011 and Island Creek Oysters at Harpoon Brewery!
$75.00 per person ($40.00 tax deductible)
Includes complimentary beer, wine, burgers, oysters, and more!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Harpoon Brewery
306 Northern Avenue, Boston
The Greater Boston Food Bank's Kitchen Cabinet invites you to STEP INTO SUMMER with them along with Brooke Vosika, Executive Chef, Four Seasons Hotel Boston & The Bristol Lounge Boston, Burger Battle Champion 2010 & 2011 and Island Creek Oysters at Harpoon Brewery!
$75.00 per person ($40.00 tax deductible)
Includes complimentary beer, wine, burgers, oysters, and more!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
New Website for South Shore Women's Resource Center
The South Shore Women's Resource Center has a new website: www.thesswrc.org.
The SSWRC is a nonprofit, community-based domestic violence program that has been assisting victims of domestic violence and their families for more than 30 years. Services are free and confidential.
The SSWRC is a nonprofit, community-based domestic violence program that has been assisting victims of domestic violence and their families for more than 30 years. Services are free and confidential.
Eat Pizza, Help End Homelessness
On Friday, May 20th, UNOs Chicago Bar & Grill, Granite Street, Braintree (next to South Shore Plaza), is donating up to 20% of the days proceeds to Father Bill’s & MainSpring. If you are planning to eat out that day, please consider going to UNOs. This promotion applies to lunch, dinner or take-out. Simply print out the donation supporter ticket and give it to your server. So spread the word among your family and friends by simply forwarding this email and posting the event flyer in your office or school.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Greater Boston Food Bank takes aim at "meal gap"
The Greater Boston Food Bank, which provides food to 550 food pantries, soup kitchens, and homeless shelters, has set a goal to increase its http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifdistribution by 10 percent over the next two years. This will put an additional 3.4 million pounds of food on increasingly bare food pantry shelves across the state.
The goal is to provide at least one meal a day to everyone who needs it.
“After that, we will continue to source more food to get beyond this basic human need," said Catherine D’Amato, president and chief executive of the food bank.
The goal is to provide at least one meal a day to everyone who needs it.
“After that, we will continue to source more food to get beyond this basic human need," said Catherine D’Amato, president and chief executive of the food bank.
Ride For a Reason in Holden
The second annual Ride for Reason will start at 9 a.m. June 11. The start and finish of the charity bicycle ride is the First Congregational Church of Holden on Main Street. The ride benefits the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Worcester. The IHN helps homeless families regardless of income and family structure. Twenty-six congregations in the Worcester area, many with assistance from additional congregations, provide meals, shelter and hospitality. Families receive case management, assistance with housing and employment search, accessing support services and advocacy at the IHN day center.
Greater Worcester's IHN has helped 275 families, with a total 812 individuals, since its formation in 1997.
The ride offers 15-, 30- and 50-mile options. The routes travel along rolling hills through communities north of Worcester, including Holden, Leominster, West Boylston, Sterling and Princeton.
Greater Worcester's IHN has helped 275 families, with a total 812 individuals, since its formation in 1997.
The ride offers 15-, 30- and 50-mile options. The routes travel along rolling hills through communities north of Worcester, including Holden, Leominster, West Boylston, Sterling and Princeton.
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