Needy Fund puts bread on the table [Cape Cod Times, Hyannis, Mass.]

Dec. 08--SANDWICH -- A single mother was having trouble feeding her children.

She'd left one job for another offering higher pay but when that company folded under the weight of a weak economy, she was forced to apply for unemployment benefits.

The payouts were about 60 percent of her previous salary but, combined with child support, she was over the income limit for food stamps.

Child support was unreliable as well, and often weeks would pass between payments.

New health problems, as well as the insurance copays and prescriptions that went with them, were also eating into her grocery budget.

The woman took a part-time job, but she had difficulty making ends meet.

The Needy Fund was able to provide a Shop & Stop food voucher.

The Needy Fund provides assistance for a host of immediate, short-term emergencies.

Since 1936, the Needy Fund has been helping individuals and families by using money raised through donations to pay for food, rent, mortgage payments, utility and heating bills, medical costs and other basic expenses.

The mission of the Cape Cod Times Needy Fund Inc. is to provide urgent financial assistance for basic human needs to individuals and families living on Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket who are experiencing temporary financial hardships.

No cash is given to Needy Fund recipients.

Instead, the agency pays vendors through a voucher program.

Anyone wishing to donate may send checks payable to the Cape Cod Times Needy Fund to P.O. Box 36, Hyannis, MA 02601; or bring contributions to the Times offices at 319 Main St. in Hyannis.

Donations also can be made at www.needyfund.org.

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