'Cape Codders stepped up once again': Needy Fund summer campaign exceeds goal
Editor's note: This story has been updated to include the list of donors who gave during the summer fundraising campaign, scroll down to see the list.
The Cape Cod Times Needy Fund wrapped up another successful summer fundraising campaign, ensuring Cape Codders continue to receive emergency aid and support when they need it.
"It was an excellent campaign and we exceeded our goal, which we attribute to the generosity of our community, both seasonal and year-round," Susan Johnson, executive director of the Needy Fund, said.
The Needy Fund kicked off its annual summer fundraising campaign on July 3, and by its end date of Aug. 14 passed the original goal of $150,000, with over 1,000 donations totaling $222,456.
The organization has received more than 5,900 assistance inquiries this year, Johnson said.
Every caller works with a client specialist who assesses the specific need and determines if the caller is eligible for financial aid. Regardless of whether they qualify for financial assistance, every caller is provided with resources and referrals to partner agencies, Johnson added.
This year, the Needy Fund has seen increasing requests for assistance with housing and general expenses due to the inflated cost of living, she said.
"We've been seeing an uptick in calls from our older residents who are on fixed incomes, and dealing with inflation can be difficult when you're living on a fixed income," she said.
Older residents trying to find affordable housing is next to impossible in the Cape's housing market, Johnson said, and the fund has seen more requests this year from older residents needing resources for housing.
Another trend she saw this year was an increase in food insecurity, as food prices skyrocketed from inflation, with more and more households struggling to meet other bills due to rising grocery costs.
More: Needy Fund client struggling with mental well-being receives assistance with housing costs
The important work the Needy Fund does year-round is made possible by the many community members who donated to this year's summer campaign, Johnson added.
"There are such generous people down here," she said.
Peter Meyer, president of the Needy Fund, also applauded the Cape community for the generosity in this summer's fundraiser.
"We are amazed at the response of Cape Codders to this year's summer appeal. It's amazing that we've pushed well past our goal, yet again," he said. "We are so happy to see that, particularly with the needs running as high as they are, and phone calls running as high as they are, that Cape Codders have stepped up once again to help those in need."
More about the Needy Fund
Many human service agencies offer assistance to those in need, but the Cape Cod Times Needy Fund, a nonprofit, has been helping with immediate short-term emergencies such as food, rent, medical costs and other basic expenses since 1936.
No cash is given to Needy Fund recipients. Instead, the agency pays vendors through a voucher program. The cases described in recent weeks were provided to the Times by the Needy Fund on the condition of anonymity.
How to donate to the Needy Fund
Donations, which are tax-deductible, may be made at needyfund.org. Checks also can be made payable to the Cape Cod Times Needy Fund and 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 info@needyfund.org. The Needy Fund is also on Facebook (facebook.com/NeedyFund) and Twitter (@NeedyFund.)
Total Contributions to Date: $222,706.24
John Officer; $10,000
Jan and Paul Barbas; $5,000
Gracia Martore; $2,500
TEGNA Foundation; $2;500
John and Julie; $1,000
Anonymous; $1,000
Thomas Donovan; $1,000
In memory of Win Kellogg from the McPherson Family; $1,000
From the Thurston Grandkids; $600
In memory of Winthrop V. Wilbur;Jr.; $500
Carolann and George Najarian; $500
Anonymous; $500
Susan and Kelly Ferguson; $500
Anonymous; $500
In memory of our son Matthew Smith from Paul and Ann Marie Smith; $300
Bruce and Regina Work; $250
Gary and Maryellen Bokenkamp; $250
Helen Weishaar; $250
Barbara and Paul Dowling; $250
Donna and William Eident; $250
Anonymoose; $250
Joanne Parker; $200
Charles and Lois Kerbel; $200
Leslie E. Scheer; $200
Kevin and Leslie Dealy; $200
Elizabeth and William Hearn; $200
Mary Flanagan;$200
In memory of Charles Srams;$200
Larry Brown; $200
In memory of Walter Nickerson Lutz,BHS 1956; $200
In honor of Audrey Daigneau; $20
John and Carol Lynch; $20
Joseph and Edna Holland; $100
In honor of Jimmie A. Rodgers from Jim and Mo Rodgers; $100
Richard and Jean Lyon; $50
Anne Dewees; $50
Herb Luther; $100
JoAnn Heiser; $50
Tom and Sandy Ulrich; $100
Christina A Joyce; $100
Wayne and Deborah Davis; $50
Tina and Bill; $100
Russell Lee; $50
Richard and Loretta Norton; $30
John and Kathleen Spelman; $100
In loving memory of Jack C. Conley and Brad K. English from Margot H. Conley; $100
In memory of Barbara J Kendrick; $50
Tom and Marilyn; $100
Susan and Jeffrey Rome; $50
Jim and Stacey Ritche from Ed and Marie Ritchie; $100
Shirley Desalliers; $10
Hugh and Lorraine White; $30
In memory of Dr. and Mrs. Thaddeus James Valenski from Doug and Ann Grainger; $100
Brian Wasser; $100
Dimitri and Michelle; $25
Joseph and Donna Hannigan; $50
In memory of my deceased wife Pam of 50 years of marriage; $50
Happy 80th birthday Carl from the Taylor Family; $100
Jeffry M. Shank; $100
In memory of Beatrice Thorley; $50
Anonymous; $20
In honor of Robert Isadore, YDTC, from Don and Rosemarie Merino; $100
Anonymous; $25
In memory of Angelina and Louis Esposito; $100
Elliot and Nancy Johnson; $50
Anonymous; $20
Mary Ann Valentini; $100
In honor of Staff members; $25
In memory of Christian who loved Cape Cod; $25
Sharon and Paul Howard; $50
Sandra James; $100
George and Naomi Botelho; $100
Barbara Zwicker; $15
In memory of Virginia Marasa; $100
In memory of Bob and Ruthie Plante; $100
Carrie and Brian Meidenbauer from Ed and Marie Ritchie; $100
Amy W. Jacobson; $100
Laurie and Irwin Rubin; $100
Anonymous; $100
Louie and Linda Visco; $100
Barrett Nichols; $50
Anonymous; $100
Anonymous; $100
Nana and Papa; $50
Helene & Ed DeFoe; $100
John Miskinis; $50
Kathy and Brian Shanahan; $50
Bob & Arlene Hoxie, In memory of Robert E. Hoxie,Sr.; $100
Cheryl Graney; $50
Larry and Susan Palaia; $20
Paul and Christine Leofanti; $100
Patricia Golemme; $100
Alice Adams; $100
Margaret Bateman; $25
Anonymous; $100
Charlene and John Carey; $50
Tracey Oringer; $103
Joanne and Gerald Giusti; $25
Theresa E. Desantis; $25
Anonymous; $50
Anonymous; $50
In honor of Mashpee EMTs - Micha Agnoli, Devon Crowl, Ryan Higgins, and Thomas Reeg for
their lifesaving efforts and skills.; $100
Rita Klopfenstein; $80
In loving and everlasting memory of my mom and dad - Dick and Marie Lucier from their son
Van Paul Lucier; $100
Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Costantino; $50
Anonymous; $100
Anonymous; $100
Marilyn Wightman; $100
In loving memory of our daughter Lisa Rushing from Lannie and Ron Stewart; $100
Judith M. Verny; $35
In memory of Shirley Behnke; $25
In memory of Louis Frontino; $100
Bob and Ann Graham; $100
In memory of Jane M. Burke from Melanie A. Burke; $30
Beryl Jacki Forbes and Ed Lundberg; $100
In memory of Dick Kupstis; $25
Anonymous; $100
In honor of Jeanne Finley; $50
In memory of Michael and Sophie DeGrazio; $100
In memory of Derek Williams from Sarah Williams; $103
In memory of Jack Dowman; $20
In memory of Raymond Jemison; $50
Joan C Burke; $100
Liza and Curt Schwarzkopf from Ed and Marie Ritchie; $100
In memory of Becky King; $100
Matching gift for donation by Laura Kozik to Amy Hirst on the Needy Fund's Falmouth Road
Race Team!; $100
Richard and Nancy Kelly; $100
Gary and Anne Woonteiler; $100
In memory of William J. Rose from Robert and Judy Adams; $100
Anonymous; $10
Anonymous; $100
Anonymous; $100
In memory of Mamma; $50
Marty and Denise Galasso; $50
Chuck and Karen Cooney; $100
This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: 'Cape Codders stepped up once again': Needy Fund campaign exceeds goal
