Community Newsletter
January 2021
How you've helped your neighbors in need
on their road to self-sufficiency.
Pivoting an important program to support clients during tax season

The Beverly Bootstraps tax preparation service is one of only a few programs like it on the North Shore. Thankfully, with donors like you, we are able to pivot once again and offer a virtual program for 2021. Our tax preparation team is sharpening its pencils and getting ready to help our clients, like Rita*.

Last year, Rita called looking for help with her taxes. Recently, having gone through a painful divorce, she was unsure how to file them correctly. Our amazing team of volunteers was there to help. They are all trained and certified through the IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (V.I.T.A.). Our tax prep team follows the IRS guidelines for properly filing client returns. Thankfully for Rita, her experienced team was able to clarify her filing status and ensure she was able to qualify for other tax advantages. With our help, she qualified for the Earn Income Tax Credit (EITC) and several other tax advantages totally nearly $8,000. 

Rita worked with us in February before COVID hit, forcing our tax program to severely pivot. However, we were still able to help approximately 400 clients with returns totaling over $400,000. With supporters like you, we look forward to working with more clients, like Rita, this year.
*Name changed for privacy
You answered our call!

Recently, we put out a request for snack bag donations to support our youngest clients when they are home from school. So many of you were ready and willing to help! Within days our shelves were filled with healthy snack bags. These bags are passed out in addition to the Kids Food Program which provides increased access to the Food Pantry for families with children.

Thank you to everyone who provided these snack bags. If you would like to learn more about this volunteer opportunity, please contact Leslie Colten, our Volunteer Coordinator.
Thrift Shop Donations

We are always in need of your donations. However, with the current rise in COVID cases across the state, The Thrift Shop is updating its donation drop-off procedure.

We ask that you pull into the Thrift Shop parking lot at 198 Rantoul St. There will be a table and bins set up where you can place your donations in designated categories.
Boxes and bins of home goods or books can be placed on the tables.
Adult clothing and accessories can be put into the labeled bin as can linens and children's clothing and accessories, respectively.

As you clean out and prepare your goods (clean and working condition) for donation, please keep these categories in mind:
  • Home Goods/books/other non-wearable items
  • Linens
  • Adult clothing and accessories
  • Children's clothing and accessories

Our goal is to keep everyone safe by implementing this contactless donation procedure. Please check our social media or website for updates, as weather may impact our ability to accept donations. Thank you for your cooperation and support!
Cheese, Please! Food Truck

The Cheese, Please! Food Truck is a new for-profit venture started by Beverly Bootstraps offering lots of delicious cheesy food - from mac & cheese, to chilli topped with cheese. Proceeds from the sales at the truck directly support the programs and services offered to our clients. The truck will be serving at 198 Rantoul Street, in the Thrift Shop Parking lot, from 4:30pm - 7pm on Friday and Saturday nights for the winter. It is also available for private booking and for corporate catering.

Friday nights are family mac & cheese night at the Cheese, Please! Food Truck. Family size trays of their comforting signature mac & cheese are available on Friday nights in limited quantities. Order in advance at www.cheesepleasemobile.com for no wait or check for availability at the truck.

For the Super Bowl, you can order the perfect tailgating food packages sure to make any football fan happy. To be the first to receive details, sign up for email updates from the Cheese, Please! Food Truck by clicking here, then scrolling down to the fill out the Contact Us form. And follow them on Instagram >> and Facebook >>

Shaw's Nourishing Neighbors Relief
Grant

Our local Shaw's store nominated Beverly Bootstraps as a Nourishing Neighbor. We are proud to announce that through our local Shaw's, we were awarded $10,000 as part of their Nourishing Neighbors community relief grant. This grant will make a difference in our local community and help us feed local families in need during this crisis. Thank you Shaw's and Star Market!
Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation Supports its Neighbors

A huge thank you to the Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation (EBCF) for a $14,000 COVID-19 Relief Grant. The grant is part of a commitment from the Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation to provide financial support to local organizations focused on COVID-19 relief. The grant will provide critical resources to individuals and families who have been impacted by the pandemic. Thank you Eastern Bank!
Beverly High School Boy's Soccer Team Scores Big

The Beverly High School Boy's Soccer team recently donated over 700 pounds of much-needed food for our pantry. Thank you for your donation and for helping your community!
To learn more, click on these handy links:
Beverly Bootstraps has always been committed to social justice. Helping people who might not have their basic needs met or an opportunity to avail themselves of education, for whatever reason or life story, is at the core of our mission.

We proudly serve, work with and employ individuals regardless of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, or nationality. Further, we ask our community and world to do better and work towards justice and equal opportunities. 
35 Park Street, Beverly, MA 01915 978-927-1561 BeverlyBootstraps.org