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Who is Helping: Benson, Fair Haven & West Haven!
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Who Is Helping
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Star Contibutors
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Towns
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To cold and hungry, frightened and lonely, young and old, troubled men and women of all social classes.
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Questions Suggestions or Contributions may be sent to:
Fair Haven Concerned Incorporated
19 Washington Street
Fair Haven, Vermont 05743
Telephone 802-265-3666
e-mail fhc@sover.net
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Towns:
The foundation of the financial support for Fair Haven Concerned comes from the support of three towns, Benson, Fair Haven and West Haven, whose citizens are also primary recipients of help from Fair Haven Concerned. Residents of these three towns will vote on Town Meeting Day, March 7, 2006 about whether they will support our group. Without them we would be finished. With them, all kinds of great things are happening.
Here is our report to the Town of Fair Haven for the past year. If you have questions, please be in touch with Julie Austin, our Director!
FAIR HAVEN CONCERNED
Annual Report 2004-2005
The financial support from Fair Haven voters is used for the operating expenses of Fair Haven Concerned. This includes all office expenses and the salary of our director, making it possible to coordinate all of our services. We use every effort to increase our funds. We obtain aid from the United Way and federal and state grants. The grants are designed to aid in the prevention of homelessness.
We are grateful for the donations given by many individuals, businesses and churches in the area. We receive financial help from the Stewarts' Matching Funds program, the Feinstein Foundation program and participation in the CROP walk. Volunteers help with many of our programs such as the food shelf, food distribution, clothing drive, Christmas baskets and Christmas Giving Tree.
Because of your help, nearly 1,600 area residents have received assistance with shelter, food, health care, clothing, emergency fuel, utilities and transportation. We are able to connect those who are having difficult times with information and agencies that can meet additional ongoing needs.
There has been an increase in need as reflected in the number of requests for help in our various programs. Summer Nutrition Program - 125 students enrolled; annual clothing drive - 1004 individuals; Christmas Giving Tree - 163 recipients; Christmas food baskets - 416 individuals; food shelf - 942 individuals. We continue to assist with the community Thanksgiving Dinner sponsored by the Eagles Club and the Knights of Columbus Toys for Joy program.
The food shelf is open daily to serve our neighbors in need. Distribution of baked goods and produce is held weekly. Two mega food giveaways were held during the fiscal year. Our food shelf was kept well stocked during the year through generous donations from Fair Haven residents and such events as the Postal Workers' food drive, “Birthday Parties”(where non-perishable food items are given instead of gifts, and donated to our food shelf), and church and school collections.
With your support, we have been able to accomplish our goal - to serve the needs of the community. This year we are increasing our request for town funding by $825 - an increase of only 3.5%.
Our director, Julie Austin, is in the office Monday through Friday except for occasional meetings. The board, together with our director, continues to update our policies to meet the changing needs of our community. A board member and Julie attended a non-profit program at the Statehouse to gain information from other organizations to aid us in addressing the increase in need in our State. Our director is continuing to improve our recordkeeping with attention to detail and confidentiality, in addition, she has assumed the duties of our part-time bookkeeper. Anyone who is interested in the work of Fair Haven Concerned or in volunteering is welcome to stop in the office at St. Mary's School, 19 Washington Street.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeanette Morren
Julie Austin
