As the summer season kicks into high gear on Cape Cod and the Islands, many workers who provide services to visitors and second-home owners are struggling financially. The ever-increasing cost of housing combined with inflation has pushed many household budgets to the limit and beyond.
The Cape Cod Times Needy Fund has provided emergency financial assistance to thousands of Cape Codders and Islanders since 1936. That assistance is made possible because of the continued generosity of neighbors helping neighbors.
“In times of crisis, like the recent fire at Yarmouth Commons, the Needy Fund swiftly emerges as a steadfast ally,” Susan Johnson, executive director of the Needy Fund, said. “Our dedicated staff sprang into action to assist a number of the displaced families. While fires capture the news, every single day the Needy Fund responds to less visible crises impacting people in our community.”
Today the Cape Cod Times Needy Fund kicks off its summer fundraising appeal, with the goal of raising $225,000 between now and Aug. 25. A contribution to the Needy Fund, which handled about 4,312 requests for help between December and May, can help a family stay in their home, a service worker pay for child care, residents with transportation problems or health care issues — and people displaced by a fire.
The Needy Fund provides short-term emergency assistance to Cape and Island residents so they can continue to go to work and/or stay in their homes.
“Recently, new parents reached out to us, their baby was born 8 weeks early and needed specialized medical care,” Johnson said. “Obviously, they were overjoyed with the birth of their child, but overwhelmed with the unanticipated additional medical bills.”
From helping these new parents to assisting a neighbor repair his car to get to work, to aiding a young mother with rent, and ensuring an elderly cancer patient doesn’t have to choose between her medication or food, the Needy Fund is here to help, Johnson said.
“We couldn’t do it without the generosity of our donors!” she said.
The compassionate staff at the Needy Fund also connects people in need with other agencies to help put them on a path to a stable financial future.
The number one need among people seeking Needy Fund assistance is help with rent payments followed by utility expenses. The Needy Fund also provides camp scholarships for children.
How are Needy Fund donations used?
People in need submit their requests for assistance to the Needy Fund, which in turn pays for the goods or services — a medical bill, for example — through a voucher system. No cash is given to Needy Fund recipients.
The Needy Fund fundraising drive includes a summer campaign and a holiday campaign, which starts around Thanksgiving. Generally, 90% of what is raised is spent on programming and 10% on administrative expenses, based on 2021 data, Johnson said.
To raise awareness about the summer appeal, the Cape Cod Times will feature a story each Wednesday and Sunday, which will be accompanied by a list of people who donated to the fund, through Aug. 25.
How to donate to the Needy Fund
Donations, which are tax-deductible, may be made online at needyfund.org.
Checks made payable to the Cape Cod Times Needy Fund should be mailed to Cape Cod Times Needy Fund, P.O. Box 36, Hyannis, MA 02601.
How to get Needy Fund assistance
Those needing assistance may contact the Needy Fund at 508-778-5661 or 800-422-1446.
Questions can be emailed to [email protected]. The Needy Fund is also on Facebook (facebook.com/NeedyFund) and Twitter (@NeedyFund).
Anne Brennan is the executive editor of the Cape Cod Times and president of the Cape Cod Times Needy Fund Board of Directors. Follow her on Twitter: @AnneBrennanCCT.
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