Spring/Summer 2014
For
Food Thought In this Issue... Sue’s Corner Food Assistance Youth and Family Services Adult Education Thrift Shop Volunteer and Events
Summer Food Drives Please donate at one of our summer food drives being held from 8:30am11:30am at the following locations: June 7 – Shaw’s, Dodge Street July 19 – Stop & Shop, Elliott Street August 19 – Market Basket, Endicott Street, Danvers
Summer Lunch Program Expands to Serve More Children
S
ummer is approaching and so too is the Summer Lunch Program. In an effort to bridge the gap during the summer months, Beverly Bootstraps will once again, in collaboration with the Beverly Public Schools Food Services Division and the Beverly Recreation Department, provide healthy lunches to children in need of a noon meal. As we gear up for the program this summer, we are excited that through our collaboration with the school and recreation department, we will expand this program and for the first Andrea Jones, Program time be able to offer free healthy Director (center) delivered lunches to Balch lunches to any child in need of a Park Camp Counselors. nutritious meal in the city of Beverly. In past years we have offered the program to children attending several of the Beverly Recreation Department’s park programs. This year, in an effort to provide lunches to any child in need, volunteers will deliver lunches to parks that are located in lowincome areas of the city: Balch Park, Holcroft Park, Goldway Park and Apple Village. An additional lunch site will be opened at Beverly High School for any child in need to come and receive a free lunch. Also, lunches will be served to the middle and high school students who attend the McPherson Teen Center. With school out of session, many Beverly families are struggling to replace the free or reduced-price school lunches upon which their children rely. The Summer Lunch Program helps provide these families facing a summer of hunger and perhaps unhealthy choices with a nutritious lunch option for their school-age children. Through research and our work with low-income families in Beverly and neighboring Manchester-by-the-Sea, we see the increased need for children to have access to a healthy noon meal. In fact, we know from statistics recently released from Feeding America’s “Mapping the Meal Gap” project that 16.2% of the children right here in Essex County are food insecure. Additionally, the number of Beverly school-age children relying on the free and reduced lunch program is now close to 30%. By making lunch available to any Beverly child at Beverly High School, the program will reach more children and in a wider age group than in years past. Thank you to North Shore Community Health Network for funding this program.
FOOD ASSISTANCE
Sue’s Corner Spring is a time for baby showers, graduation parties, wedding showers and weddings. The origin of these events was to support young people when they needed an influx of resources to survive. In the days of settling the country, parents and neighbors would give the marrying couple a pot, a spoon, a quilt and some tools to get them started. It was common that resources would be shared, with the entire community contributing to their success. It was recognized that they could not just do it on their own. Today there are real economic challenges for people. There is a lack of middle-wage, sustainable jobs in our area. And for those that exist, people with above-average education are filling them. For people who do not have a college level degree, choices are limited to low-wage positions that do not provide a sustainable income. These challenges are forcing people to access other resources to feed and take care of their families. Fortunately, Beverly Bootstraps is able to assist people with food, heat and clothing and then perhaps to help them begin a path toward a sustainable income. It is sad to report that we are still serving at least 25 new households in our programs every month. Over the years the way we share has changed, but thankfully people in our community still recognize that it is important to help our neighbors. America has always had a reputation as the Land of Opportunity. Unfortunately, there is less opportunity than in times past. I believe if we come back to community and remember that we are all better if we work together to give access to resources and opportunities, then we will find a way to improve the economic condition for the betterment of us all.
Executive Director
The Mobile Market, a traveling, free farmers market that promotes better health and nutrition by providing eligible households with fresh fruits and vegetables, will now be serving Turtle Creek and Turtle Woods Apartments. The program, which also serves all Beverly Housing Authority and Apple Village residents, will begin again on June 24 (see our website for a full schedule). In addition to choosing free, fresh produce, participants will also have access to nutrition education, SNAP information, chef demonstrations, food samplings and youth activities. Last summer, this program distributed over 37,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables to 770 participants and will reach even more this year. The 2014 Mobile Market program has been generously funded by Beverly Hospital, member of Lahey Health, Beverly Housing Authority and OneWorld Boston, a Cummings Foundation Affiliate.
Food Project and Community Gardens Join Forces
Advocacy Working with our Legislators Recognizing the importance of federal and state resources as partners in our work, Beverly Bootstraps’ staff works to educate our legislators on issues relating to hunger and the local economy. In March, Case Manager Erin George and Food Assistance Coordinator Ashley Miller, attended the Food and Research Action Commission’s AntiHunger Policy Convention in Washington, D.C. They participated with associates from the North Shore Hunger Network in visits to Senator Markey’s and Senator Warren’s offices. They also met with Representative Tierney’s staff. Discussions centered on the proposed cuts to the SNAP program. In April, Executive Director Sue Gabriel, along with representatives from other organizations from the North Shore Hunger Network, met with local support staff from Markey’s and Warren’s offices. Cuts to SNAP benefits and cuts to the LIHEAP heating assistance program would affect the lives of clients and the
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Mobile Market is expanding to Turtle Creek
operations of Beverly Bootstraps and all private hunger-related non-profits tremendously and are a great concern. Also this spring, candidate for Representative of the 6th District Seth Moulton and his staff visited for an educational tour of Beverly Bootstraps. Sue Gabriel attended a round-table discussion with Moulton on small business issues sponsored by the Enterprise Center. Members of staff have also consulted on poverty issues with groups organized by Essex County Community Organizations. ECCO is an organization that works together to ensure that all living on the North Shore have quality of life, can live without fear, and have opportunities to grow and dream. For a riveting account of the complexities of the SNAP program, read this Pulitzer Prize winning series of articles from the Washington Post. Use this link on your computer: http://www.pulitzer.org/works/2014Explanatory-Reporting
A Beverly Bootstraps Publication
©2014
Finally the growing season is here and local gardeners have started preparing their garden plots at the Cole Street Community Gardens. Since 1996, these gardens have been managed by Beverly Bootstraps and offered community members the opportunity to harvest their own gardens, and to help provide fresh fruit and vegetables to feed Beverly and Manchester-by-the-Sea residents visiting our Food Pantry. This year we are excited to announce that the Food Project will be taking over the management of the gardens. Since 2006, the Food Project has been actively involved at Long Hill Farm and Moraine Farm and has been donating a portion of their harvests to Beverly Bootstraps’ Food Pantry. Managing the Community Gardens fits in perfectly with their mission of growing a thoughtful and productive community of youth and adults from diverse backgrounds who work together to build a sustainable food system. With the expertise that the Food Project brings to the gardeners, we expect more fresh produce to come from the gardens for those visiting our Food Pantry.
The gardens on Cole Street consist of plots open to local gardeners to grow their own produce and others that all gardeners work together to tend for the benefit of our Food Pantry. For information on obtaining a garden plot, please contact the Food Project at info@thefoodproject.org or at 781-346-6726.
Waste Not, Want Not Have you ever thought about all that perfectly good food that doesn’t get sold in one day at various food establishments around town? Ever wonder what happens to it? Usually, this perfectly edible and nutritious food gets thrown away – unless it is “rescued.” Beverly Bootstraps currently partners with Chipotle, Henry’s, Panera, Stop & Shop (Elliott Street and North Beverly locations) and Shaw’s to get that food to hungry people. It’s called Food Rescue. We have a driver and volunteers who go out daily to pick up each store’s donation and bring it back to the Food Pantry. Thank you to these partners for their dedication to feeding the hungry. If you would like to contribute in a similar way, please contact our Food Assistance Supervisor.
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Youth and Family
Adult Education HiSET replaces GED
Back to School Bonanza is Back
Adult Education is changing and Beverly Bootstraps is taking part. There is a new test replacing the GED (High School Equivalency Test), called HiSET. This new test is more in sync with the Common Core Standards and has been adopted by 40 states. Massachusetts stopped offering the GED exam in December of 2013 and has now started to offer the HiSET exam in a limited capacity at some test centers.
At the end of every summer, Beverly Bootstraps provides backpacks filled with school supplies to children in need. These backpacks give children the items necessary to succeed at school. Last summer, we distributed 730 backpacks filled with pencils, notebooks, rulers, crayons, paper, and other supplies. Won’t you take a look at the list on our website www.beverlybootstraps. org/YouthAndFamily/BackToSchool.php and consider donating so we can continue to help these children? Donations are due by July 25th and can be dropped off at our offices at 371 Cabot Street.
Clients go to Summer Camp Through partnerships with area camps, and the generosity of local donors, Beverly Bootstraps is able to send at-risk children to camp during the summer. We believe every child should be able to enjoy this type of enriching experience, and last summer we were able to place 47 children in summer camps. One such child is Robert* who has attended Camp Mitchman for the last three summers. Now 14, Robert will be returning this year as a Counselor in Training (C.I.T.). The Camp Director is thrilled to have him returning in this program. In Robert’s own words to the camp: “What I like about this camp is the family I created when I was an Agawam and a Cherokee. I also enjoy the activities that you guys prepare for the camp. When I was in Camp Mitchman for the past three years, I learned how to do a lot of things including tennis, swimming, archery, etc. I would want to be a C.I.T. because I am a good leader and would like to help other campers. When I went in the past I met a lot of people who also enjoyed the camp. I would like to go back to a camp I call Home.”
Because of Beverly Bootstraps’ support and its partnerships, Robert has had the opportunity to have these positive camp experiences and is now able to continue on as a leader to other young children. *Robert’s name was changed to protect his privacy.
Thank you to following collaborating camps: Camp Half Moon
The HiSET exam has increased the expected amount of knowledge that a student will need for specific subject vocabulary and terminology. Due to this change, Beverly Bootstraps is adapting to make sure that our students can succeed with this new challenge in the test. This will require additional tutoring time as well as introducing computer training, as the new exam will often be administered electronically. Beverly Bootstraps is closely following the actions made by the state so that we are able to provide a smooth transition for our students.
If you know of someone in need of Adult Education, please refer them to Beverly Bootstraps at 978-927-1561.
Record Number of Beverly Bootstraps Adult Ed Students Receive GED This was a record year in the Beverly Bootstraps Adult Education program. A total of 32 students took our GED Test Prep Class and passed their GED exam. That is up 47% over last year. And on May 15, we congratulated these students at our Celebration of Excellence. Family and friends proudly joined us in honoring the hard work and perseverance of these students. During the evening, students wore caps and gowns and were awarded Certificates of Excellence after a presentation by Education Supervisor Julia Andrews. One recent graduate wrote, “I want you to know how important it was for me to obtain my GED, for so many reasons, personally and professionally! I appreciate the program at Beverly Bootstraps so much. You gave me the tools and resources and even more importantly, the encouragement that I needed to keep going! I am now in my first semester at North Shore Community College and I feel so proud of my accomplishments. Thanks to Beverly Bootstraps. You truly are an asset to our community.” Congratulations to all!
Girl Scout Camp Camp Mitchman Gain @ GUS, Summer Enrichment Program at Glen Urquhart School Prep @ Pingree, at Pingree School Summer Quest Art Works at the Waring School
Summer Volunteers Needed Our summer programs will be starting up soon and we need many volunteers to staff them. Opportunities include helping with Summer Lunch Program, Food Drives and Mobile Market. For more information contact our Volunteer Coordinator at 978-927-1561.
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A Beverly Bootstraps Publication
©2014
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Programs
Programs. Cont.
Local Mom Receives Tax Help and More
A Success Story
While at Beverly Bootstraps for her Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) appointment, a woman with a 5-year-old son happened to mention to our Case Manager that her husband was just laid off from his job and he hadn’t started collecting unemployment yet. While they were here, not only did they have their taxes prepared, but also the Case Manager was able to help them fill out an application for food stamps (SNAP) and had them start filling out an application for Fuel Assistance. Additionally, she let them know about the Food Pantry which they are now using. Although they just came in for their taxes, they were able to get assistance with several other programs that Beverly Bootstraps offers. Without that foot in the door through the EITC program,
they might not have known about what other services were available to them.
EITC Program Grows by 40% This year, Beverly Boostraps held a record number of appointments and helped 185 people file their taxes, the highest number in the history of the program and up 40% from last year. Most importantly, over $119,347 was returned to those who qualified for the credit. Special thanks to the North Shore United Way for funding this program and North Shore Community Action Programs for their ongoing collaboration to make this program possible.
needs of clients. Throughout my internship, whether it was sorting donations in the Food Pantry, organizing the Adopt-A-Family program, filing tax returns, or making phone calls to prospective and current GED and ESOL students, I was constantly engaged in the helping process. It was a privilege to work with such a great team who are committed to positively impacting their community. Thank you to staff, volunteers, and students alike; this has been a truly life-changing experience and I have grown so much from my time here.”
After doing a follow-up with Sterling, he was granted his unemployment benefits and was able to avoid any potential eviction. He is extremely grateful that Beverly Bootstraps was able to assist him with not only his rent, but also making sure that he was back on track financially. It is through the consistent support of our donors and the community at large that we are able to continue to help clients like Sterling when they turn to us in times of need. *Client’s name has been changed to protect his privacy.
This spring our Thrift Shop, located at 198 Rantoul
Street, held its second annual “Renew the Old” contest. Customers, volunteers, donors and staff were invited to choose an item to be refinished, repurposed or retooled. With an artistic flair, they breathed new life into each piece. After a period of judging, a winner was announced and then all pieces were put up for silent auction to raise funds to support our programs.
Winner: Judges Favorite
To learn more about our Thrift Shop and all its happenings, “Like” us on Facebook or visit our website.
Hannah Anselmo had this to say about her internship with us: “The cross training that Beverly Bootstraps provides gave me the opportunity to experience the different ways in which the services affect the multiple
A Beverly Bootstraps Publication
in advance. Case Managers were also able to make sure Sterling knew of all the other Beverly Bootstraps services available to him. He is now consistently using our Food Pantry, which he states has dramatically changed his food budget. Additionally we were able to offer him assistance in reviewing and editing his resume and creating a weekly budget.
Thrift Shop
Here are some of their inspiring creations:
We often hire our interns to work for us after they finish their college careers. Ashley Miller, BSW, who interned with us while attending Gordon College, now works as the Food Assistance Coordinator. Erin George began at Beverly Bootstraps in Case Management after completing her internship and graduating from Lesley College. Lauren Rizzo now works as a HiSET Assistant in the Adult Education program and interned while she was a student at Endicott College.
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Sterling’s background is in the culinary field, where he has worked for more than 30 years, but unfortunately he was let go from his job in December of 2013. He did have some savings and was able to manage for some time before needing assistance. When our Case Managers met Sterling and assessed his situation, they were able to acquire enough funding for Sterling so that he was able to not only pay his rent back payments, but also pay three weeks of his rent
Supporting Local Students Through Internships Beverly Bootstraps has always had a practice of helping students at area colleges with their education through internships. This year was no different. Our fall interns were Jessica Hunkler, a Gordon College Social Work student who interned in the Food Pantry and is still volunteering there now, and Katie Wholley, a Social Work student, who worked in Case Management. Hannah Anselmo, who volunteered both in the fall and spring was from Salem State College’s Social Work Department, and helped in Adult Education and EITC. Kerstin Pallo from Gordon College also interned this spring in Food Assistance. We want to thank these students for their time and dedication and wish them luck in their future careers.
Sterling Jones* came to Beverly Bootstraps in February 2014. Being a single male with no children, Sterling’s options for help were extremely limited. Unfortunately a long battle with unemployment and diminishing savings made Sterling swallow his pride and come to us, as recommended by his landlord. Sterling came to us in hopes that we could not only help him with his rent back payments but also with potential job training and use of our Food Pantry.
Back row: Erin George, Ashley Miller. Front row: Kerstin Pallo, Hannah Anselmo ©2014
And remember … our Thrift Shop staff can pick up your furniture donations. For more information, please call: 978-921-4710.
Winner: Popular Vote
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HOW YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE ATTEND AN EVENT Summer Food Drives June 7 – Shaw’s, Dodge Street July 19 – Stop & Shop, Elliott Street
Volunteer
We are always looking for volunteers to join our team. Consider helping us in the following areas; • Thrift Shop • Front Desk • Food Pantry • Adult Education Classes • After-School Homework Clubs
August 19 – Market Basket, Endicott Street, Danvers Yard Sale Table at Lynch Park during Homecoming Wednesday, August 6, from 9:30am - 3:00pm For current events, like us on Facebook.
DONATE THRIFT SHOP
FOOD PANTRY
We are in need of nice gift items, straw hats, nice books, and accessories for our Yard Sale table at Lynch Park during Homecoming in August.
Canned veggies, canned fruit, mac & cheese, rice (1 lb bags), canned spaghetti sauce
For large donations, call 978-921-4710 to schedule a pickup.
Thank you for your continued support!
Beverly Bootstraps is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
FOOD PANTRY 11:00am - 12:30pm M, W, Th, F 5:00pm - 6:00pm Tu & W 10:00am-11:00am 1st/3rd Saturday of Month thrift SHOP 198 Rantoul Street, Beverly M - F 9:30am - 5:00pm Sat 9:30am - 12:30pm PHONE: 978-921-4710 OfficE & Services 371 Cabot Street Beverly, MA 01915 M - F 8:30am - 4:00pm PHONE: 978-927-1561 FAX: 978-927-1553 BeverlyBootstraps.org
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