Facing a dark, cold winter: Needy Fund helps with utility bill
The holiday season on Cape Cod can be full of joy. But there can also be challenges, especially as the weather gets worse and the temperature drops. Utility bills can soar unexpectedly, and all of a sudden, you're worried about facing the winter in the dark, without heat.
That's what happened to our 78-year-old neighbor from the Mid-Cape. Our neighbor had always been careful with finances and worked a part-time job to make ends meet. But when a huge and unforeseen utility bill arrived, everything seemed about to unravel. The neighbor called the Cape Cod Times Needy Fund, and thanks to donors like you, help was on the way.
What is the Cape Cod Times Needy Fund?
The nonprofit Cape Cod Times Needy Fund has provided emergency financial assistance to thousands of Cape Codders and Islanders since 1936. That assistance is made possible because of the continued generosity of neighbors helping neighbors.
The Needy Fund provides short-term emergency assistance to Cape and Islands residents so they can continue to go to work and/or stay in their homes. People in need submit their requests for help to the Needy Fund, which in turn pays for the goods or services — a medical bill, for example — through a voucher system. No cash is given to Needy Fund recipients.
How to donate to the Needy Fund
Donations, which are tax-deductible, may be made online here.
Checks payable to the Cape Cod Times Needy Fund should be 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 X (formerly Twitter) @NeedyFund.
Needy Fund donors
The fundraising goal this season is $1.6 million, and every donation helps. Thanks to everyone who has made a donation to the Cape Cod Times Needy Fund.
Total Contributions to Date: $433,242.28
In memory of Dick and Geoff;$40,000
John and Elaine Brouillard;$10,000
Anonymous;$10,000
Ian and Sandra Millen;$5,000
Saint Mary’s Episcopal Church Barnstable;$5,000
Cataumet Boats,Inc.;$2,500
In memory of Caroline S. Lloyd from Jim Lloyd;$2,500
The Tesconi Family;$2,500
Bob and Karen McDonald;$1,100
Frank and Marie Fortunato;$1,000
Thomas and Joan Frederick;$1,000
Sherrie Cahoon;$1,000
West Parish of Barnstable;$1,000
Nu Psi Chapter, Sigma Phi Gamma International Sorority Members;$1,000
Anthony Gargano;$1,000
Jeff and Rebecca;$1,000
Mary G Rahal;$1,000
Anonymous;$1,000
William and Kathleen O'Neill;$800
Ronald Bourgeois;$650
The William and Anne Snow Designated Fund of the Cape Cod Foundation;$611.25
George and Susan Oleyer;$500
Linda Jarvis;$500
In memory of Isabelle T. Corson;$500
MaryEllen and Frank Zapulla;$500
Nancy Douttiel and Diane Willcox;$500
Rod and Peg Sherman;$500
The Cortez Family;$500
The Wendy Hinden and Kathryn Livelli Charitable Fund;$500
Anonymous;$500
Bill and Lorna Hathon;$400
In memory of Donald and Carol Arnault from Andrew and Mary Arnault;$350
In memory of Thorp and Evelyn Wolford from Andrew and Mary Arnault;$350
Charles and Lois Kerbel;$300
Linda Pegram;$300
Paul and Mary Alice Gallant;$300
Cathy and John Hoff;$300
Judy Nelson - With gratitude in all things;$300
Max and Marilyn Abrams;$300
Anonymous;$300
Margaret Furlong;$250
Douglas Bradstreet;$250
Ann Carson and Paul Roycraft;$250
Richard and Sandra Blaha;$250
MaryEllen and Francis Lacroix;$250
Raffi;$250
Joanne C. Spurr;$250
Anonymous;$250
The Centerville Turkey Trotters;$225
Rocco and Susan Maffei;$100
Sandy and John Fields;$50
Anonymous;$100
In memory of Marty Paschal;$150
Anonymous;$200
In memory of Francis J. Kane;$100
Mary and Bill Scott;$100
Bill and Kerry Sullivan;$100
Margaret Heron;$50
David and Barbara Webb;$200
Jean Nerrie;$50
Peter and Mary Genovese;$50
Anonymous;$100
In memory of Bob and Connie Walker from John and Mike;$100
Molly and George DeMello;$100
Retired Men's Club of Cape Cod;$150
In memory of Bryan John;$100
James M. Audibert;$100
Peter and Helen M. Owens;$25
Leslie Alsop;$100
MME Lunch Club;$80
Carole and Charles Dundorf- In honor of US Service Men and Women;$200
James and Jennifer Douglas;$50
Lynette Walker;$50
Robert and Arlene Hoxie;$200
Rachel Busby;$25
Virginia Conway;$100
Robert and Constance Spohn;$100
In memory of Martha Bennett;$100
Amica Companies Foundation matching a gift from Louise O’Neil;$175
Cheryl Divito;$100
The Place For Words;$75
Anonymous;$25
In memory of Tom Ambrose;$100
In honor of Helen Prothero;$100
Richard and Julie Salvatore;$100
Allan Saperstein;$100
Donna Durkee;$100
Kenneth and Elizabeth Casson;$100
Alan Jones;$75
David and Cynthia Faszewski;$100
Anonymous;$100
Janet Dawkins;$100
In memory of James Sethares from William Jarvis;$100
Dennis and Barbara Howard;$100
Bob & Kathy Corradi;$100
Paul Arnold; Kathleen Manning;$100
From the Barnstable Ladies Golf Association in memory of Karen Newman-a longstanding and cherished member;$200
Buzz and Tish Friend;$150
Mike Argento and Anne Mullany ;$50
Alfreda and Dave Riley;$100
Anonymous;$25
The Avakian Family;$100
Kevin McColgan;$100
Ellin Sparrow;$100
Chris & Patty Koehler;$100
Anonymous;$50
Francis and Joyce Celli;$25
In memory of my mother, father, 3 brothers and nephew-love Lorraine Burkhead;$30
Winfield Rowell;$30
James and Alice Tow;$200
Barbara Eaton with Barbo's Furniture Community Giving Program;$50
Jan Snyder;$100
In memory of Willard G. Smith from Lois Smith;$100
In memory of Raymond Jemison;$50
In memory of loved family members;$50
Darryl and Jeannie Dodson-Edgars;$50
In memory of departed Auxiliary and Post members of Post 8607 - West Chatham;$100
Abby and Doug Tuttle;$200
James Burke;$25
Anonymous;$100
Andrea Johnson;$100
Kate and George Malloy;$150
In memory of Paul Roma;$100
In memory of Ellen;$50
JoAnn Heiser;$45
Barbara Hadley;$100
Judith Beams;$150
In memory of Annie Driscoll;$100
In memory of James H. Howarth Jr., Elda M Howarth and Charles W. Noyes from Charles and Susan Noyes;$100
In honor of healthcare workers from Suzanne Gibbons;$50
Barbara & Steven Blumberg, Centerville;$100
The Scott Family;$100
Phyllis Whitney;$100
Anonymous;$50
Anne and Dan Riley;$100
Richard and Ellen Lawson;$65
In memory of Dad;$100
William and Patricia Thomas;$50
Albert and Barbara Willey;$25
David and Michelle Gain;$100
Tuesday morning chandelier group;$75
Gary Carter;$50
In memory of Lt. William F. Fogarty, Massachusetts State Police;$100
Peter and Barbara Schaible;$50
Patrick Shorten;$25
Amy Sterling-Bratt;$150
James Jones;$25
Arthur and Margaret Lindberg;$20
In memory of my dad,Richard A. Knowles and my grandparents-Peter and Cindy Costello;$200
The Hartnett Family;$100
Thank you St. Jude – J.L.;$200
In memory of our loved ones;$25
Rachel Crosby;$30
David and Ruthanne Allen;$100
Anonymous;$25
Mary and Roger Cadrin;$50
Anonymous;$50
Anonymous;$50
In memory of Norman P. and John W. Thayer from their wife and mother, Olive ;$25
Philip and Mary Louise Roche;$100
Steve Mysona;$100
In memory of Pete, Tuffy, Pal, Wilson and Zephyr;$50
Dee McGrath and Jim Wisner;$100
In memory of Deputy Sheriff John Robert Kotfila,Jr.- Hillsborough County Florida;$50
In memory of AnnieGrace;$100
Lois Eaton;$100
This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Cape Cod Times Needy Fund helps neighbor with unexpected utility bill
