Summer, 2018
Dear Friends, Family and Colleagues,
June, 2017 marked the Spanish American Center’s first ever direct mail campaign. The campaign highlighted the many ways in which we partner with clients to improve the quality of their lives.
“Cuidate” (take care of yourself)
was our tagline.
Although modest by most fundraising standards, the $6000 that we netted in that campaign left us heartened and optimistic for the future. Friends, family and neighbors responded generously and the money received helped us as we entered a year we could never have anticipated
; a year in which a Hurricane nearly destroyed a place we hold dear: The Island of Puerto Rico
. As a result of this disaster, close to 150 families have flocked to our Center seeking our aid and counsel as they grapple with homelessness, grief and loss, and, often, symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. The financial generosity of our community has enabled us to deeply engage with families, helping them with important referrals, ESL classes, emergency food and housing, school enrollment, translation and interpretation and perhaps, most importantly, providing a place where strangers feel welcomed and understood.
As we look ahead to the next 12 months, we reflect on the enduring value of our work around the issue of hunger and food insecurity. With a commercial kitchen, a band of volunteers, talented cooks and a mouth watering menu, we provided the following number of meals during the last 12 months:
- 11,263 breakfasts and 11,315 lunches for school aged children participating in 2017 summer programs
- 6,636 snacks and 6,330 dinners to school aged children participating in after-school enrichment programs during academic year 2017-2018.
- 1,812 breakfasts through "Breakfast Cafe" Program - a twice weekly offering to individuals and families in need of a good meals, socialization and the support of the Center's programs
- 3,816 dinners at our twice weekly "Soup Kitchen". This is especially popular during the winter months when dark falls early and a hearty meal and companionship are especially important.
Funding for children’s feeding programs comes from the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Small grants help cover the costs of the community breakfast and dinner programs. Sadly, the funding does not cover all of our costs, especially with increasing food and gasoline costs. We would like to expand our free breakfasts and dinner programs from two to three times per week, especially with the nutrition needs of struggling Puerto Rican evacuees. In order to do this, we need to raise additional dollars.
Can you help us make this a reality by making a donation?
By raising $10,000, we can ensure the continuation of these vital meal programs. By raising $15,000, we can expand to a third seating for both the Breakfast Café and the Soup Kitchen.
As we remain dedicated to assisting our clients as they “take care of themselves”, we ask for your partnership in this endeavor. Muchas Gracias a Todos!!
Thank you so much for your continued generous support.
Sincerely,
Neddy
Neddy Latimer and Spanish American Center Staff and Directors
