Community Newsletter

November, 2015

Keeping you up to date on the many ways Beverly Bootstraps provides critical resources to families and individuals so they may achieve self-sufficiency.

Baby its cold outside.
But not inside with the Gift of Heat program

Now that the cold weather is upon us, another issue is arising for many in our area. So often low income families make due with cold houses so that they can afford to continue paying their rent or putting food on the table. We have clients that have spent winter in 50 degree temperatures - inside their homes!

Last winter a woman was referred to us from NSCAP. Her husband had recently died and all of her accounts had been frozen because of a technicality. We helped her apply for fuel assistance but she only had a quarter tank of oil left and knew it would run out before her application was processed. Through our Gift of Heat program we were able to supply her with 100 gallons of oil to hold her over. Her thank you note said "thank you for...your kindness and assistance during this tragic and insane part of my life. I truly appreciate all of your help and guidance, it will not be forgotten"

Due to our donor's generosity, we have been able to help people keep the heat on during the cold months.

Exciting news:

Changes happening at Thrift

The Thrift Shop reopened its doors on October 26th, after the first part of its expansion, now filling the right side of the building. The entrance is still at 198 Rantoul Street, but the donation area is now at the front of the store and the shopping area is now to the right in the full depth of the building.

Construction is still happening at the back of the shop to connect it to the new elevator and stairway area and should be finished later this year or early next when we'll occupy the entire street level of the building.

Remember, we'll need lots of donations to stock all this new space!

And in an effort to make it easier for you to donate and shop, we're extending our hours on Saturday to be 9:30am - 4:00pm.

Thank you!

Volunteers go apple picking

Thank you to the Middle School Girls' basketball team for their help in picking over 1,300 pounds of apples that were donated to the Food Pantry. Special thanks to Steve Cohen who once again generously donated the apples and to Tom Grant and Lorinda Visnick for helping coordinate, deliver and unload the apples.

The Indo Pub holds a raffle

Recently the Indo Pub on Cabot Street raffled off a special Belgian Beer and donated the proceeds to Beverly Bootstraps - thank you Indo!

Kids give games

A huge thank you goes out to Charlotte and Liam, two young kids who donated several of the most popular board games that they bought with the money they earned this summer. The games will be thoroughly enjoyed by the kids in our After School program.

Happenings

Ugly Christmas Sweater Sale

Friday, November 27, 9:30am - 5:00pm

At the Thrift Shop, 198 Rantoul Street

On Black Friday, the Thrift Shop will be having its annual Ugly Christmas Sweater sale. Come down and purchase your sparkly knits and holiday decor.

Beverly Holiday Parade Food Drive

Sunday, November 29, 1:30pm

Along Cabot and Rantoul Streets

The First Baptist Church will be holding it annual food drive along the route of the Holiday Parade to benefit Beverly Bootstraps Food Pantry. Watch for the big box of Mac & Cheese and the kids pushing shopping carts. Just drop your non-perishable food donations right into a cart as it passes by.

To learn more, click on these handy links:

Beverly Bootstraps | 371 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA 01915 | 978-927-1561

BeverlyBootstraps.org

STAY CONNECTED: