Community Newsletter
April 2021
|
|
How you've helped your neighbors in need on their road to self-sufficiency. |
|
It was one thing after another and that required a hand-up...
Imagine being a single mother of four children. Now imagine losing your full-time job right before Christmas. You think life is looking up when your perseverance lands you a new job. You are set to begin work when you are dealt another blow. You, along with two of your four children, contract COVID-19. Now you and your children must quarantine for over a month and you are unable to work.
Unfortunately, this scenario is playing out all over the country, including right here in Beverly. Valerie* lived this nightmare scenario. With no money coming in, rent due, and bills piling up, she knew she needed help. Fortunately, she reached out to Beverly Bootstraps. Our Case Management staff listened to her story and recognized that she needed help with her rent to prevent a tough situation from getting worse. We paid her rent for the month of February. This reprieve was what she needed. She was able to focus on her family’s health and once out of quarantine, start her new job.
Valerie is back on track now. Her family is healthy, her job is going well, and she can stand on her own two feet. Sometimes, all a person needs is a hand-up. This is where Beverly Bootstraps comes in. With the support of our generous donors and community, we assist clients like Valerie. She made a point to express how incredibly happy and grateful she was for the assistance we were able to give. We love a good success story!
*Name changed for privacy
|
|
Tax Preparation Deadline for Low-Income Households Extended
For those that qualify, Beverly Bootstraps and its IRS trained staff and volunteers, prepare tax returns for low-income families and individuals at no cost.
This program has been extended until Thursday, May 13 to be in line with the Federal and State filing extensions. New intake appointments will be available beginning April 15 on Mondays and Thursdays, from 3 pm to 7 pm. We are excited for the opportunity to help even more clients!
|
|
Spring Thrift Shop Donations Needed
Spring is here and the Beverly Bootstraps Thrift Shop will gladly accept your donations from your Spring cleaning! Donations are accepted Monday – Friday, 10 am – 4 pm and Saturday, 10 am – 3 pm. Especially needed are home goods, home essentials, and decor.
The Thrift Shop is responsible for almost a third of Beverly Bootstraps’ revenue, so when you donate or shop, you are directly supporting your neighbors in need.
|
|
A Successful Partnership With Boston Area Gleaners
Beverly Bootstraps received 6,668.75 pounds of gleaned produce in 173.25 cases from Boston Area Gleaners during the 2020 calendar year. Feeding America, the nation's largest hunger-relief agency, establishes a value for donated food on an annual basis; for 2020, this figure was $1.62/lb. Using this metric, the total value of the gleaned produce we received from Boston Area Gleaners in 2020 was $10,803.38.
|
|
Brookwood School Rises to the Challenge
We are amazed by the determination of their mighty fifth-grade who organized the food drive to help those less fortunate. Thank you to the entire school community for your generous donation!
|
|
Shore Country Day School Holds Inspiring Food and Diaper Drive
We are proud to have such a strong partnership with Shore Country Day School. Eighth and ninth graders loaded up bags of food and diapers weighing 684 pounds! Thank you Shore County Day School. We love the lesson of paying it forward that you are teaching future generations.
|
|
The Koutsos Team Supports Their Neighbors in Need
Thursday, April 1 to Wednesday, June 30
CrossCountry Mortgage, Danvers, MA
The Koutsos Team from CrossCountry Mortgage based in Danvers will donate $50 for every purchase closing from April through June to support Beverly Bootstraps. These donations are on behalf of their clients and realtor partners and will be matched personally by George Koutsos. For more information about The Koutsos Team, click here.
Fun Day, Sunday Sale
Sunday, May 2
Beverly Bootstraps Thrift Shop, 198 Rantoul Street, Beverly
Come shop a fantastic (and fun!) selection of "new" and "like-new" jewelry, clothing, accessories, home goods, and more at Beverly Bootstraps Thrift Shop during its Fun Day, Sunday Sale on Sunday, May 2nd from 10 am – 4 pm.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
