Community E-Newsletter
January 2025 |
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We couldn't do it without you |
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Last month’s Winter Wishes Holiday Gifts was nothing short of magical. Because of you, our donors, volunteers, friends, and supporters, 822 children and 380 families experienced the kind of magic that stays with them forever. You didn’t just give gifts, you brought cheer and created unforgettable moments, putting smiles on children’s faces and giving parents the priceless gift of seeing their kids’ eyes light up with joy.
A special thank you goes out to the groups and companies who put together and donated Holiday Breakfast Bags. These thoughtful bags, filled with pancake/muffin mixes, syrup/ jam, and hot cocoa/ coffee, helped bring a little extra joy to these families. It’s these little things that truly brighten the season and remind us of the impact we can have on each other.
Sometimes, it’s easy to forget how the smallest gestures–like a warm coat, a shiny toy, or Holiday Breakfast Bag–can ripple outward, but to the neighbors we serve, your thoughtfulness is a life-changing source of hope. As we step into the new year, we carry your kindness and unwavering support with us, ready to create even more moments of connection and possibility together.
From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU for believing in the power of community and for showing up with such incredible compassion and light this holiday season. You’ve made this Winter Wishes Holiday Gifts season one to remember. We wish you a bright and meaningful year ahead!
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| Stress Free Tax Season
Last year, 488 of our clients received a total of $861,978 in tax refunds through our free Income Tax Preparation Program. We’re thrilled to announce that this program will kick off again on February 3! Through this initiative, our IRS-trained staff and volunteers assist low-income families and individuals prepare their tax returns. For many clients, this free program saves them money by avoiding expensive tax preparation fees while helping to maximize refunds by ensuring they claim all eligible credits. These savings can be redirected toward important expenses like rent and food.
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Learn, Grow, and Succeed
Our Adult Education Department is actively enrolling students in our High School Equivalency tutoring program. Our ESOL Classes are currently full and registration for our next session will begin on February 4th. The next session will run from February 25th to April 17th. Additionally, our College and Career Readiness program continues to empower adults with job training opportunities, job searching, and resume writing.
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Ready to kickstart 2025? Here are 5 ways to spark change this year! |
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| 1. Host A Food Drive
Apart from our Top 10 List, our immediate needs include: diapers sizes 1-5, condiments (spices, ketchup, mayo, hot sauce, salad dressing, tahini, etc.), brand-name cereal, oatmeal, ground coffee, and vegetable oil.
Food Drives are easy to organize and are a great way to pull your school/ friend group, family members, company, or congregation together to help make a difference in the community. Download our Food Drive Kit and email [email protected] to get started today.
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2. Shop Our Amazon List
You may donate Food Pantry items online using our Amazon Link. Select the items you'd like to donate, and at check out, select Joe DiVincenzo - Beverly Bootstraps as your shipping address. The items will ship directly to our pantry!
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| 3. Build Snack Bags
Join us and help pack Snack Bags for our youngest Food Pantry clients. These bags provide healthy snacks in between meals to families with children. It's a simple way to give back with friends or earn community service hours. All ages are welcome to build bags!
To get started, email [email protected] or download our flyer here >>
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4. Host A SOUP-er Bowl Event
Celebrate the excitement of playoff season while hosting your very own “Soup-er Bowl” event! Whether it’s a watch party, a canned food drive, or a fun community gathering, this is your chance to rally your team and collect canned soup donations.
Reach out to Deb Ploszay at [email protected] or 978-927-1561 x 113 to get started. Together, you can score big for your community and kick off the year with generosity and teamwork! |
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| 5. Shop the Boutique at 198
Step into the Boutique at 198 at the Beverly Bootstraps Thrift Shop to score looks that will make your weekend unforgettable! Whether you're hunting for a statement piece or that one-of-a-kind gem, we've got something special waiting for you!
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| A Cereal-ously Amazing Drive
Beverly Middle School 5th graders recently held a cereal and oatmeal drive, sparking a friendly competition among the houses to see who could contribute the most. Because of their incredible enthusiasm, over 601 boxes of cereal and oatmeal were collected! Thank you to all the BMS students who participated, it's inspiring to see students not only making a difference in their community but also enjoying the spirit of giving together. Way to go, 5th graders!
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M&T Empowers Our Mission
With the generous grant from the M&T Charitable Foundation, we are able to meet the needs of our day-to-day operations, ensuring that our mission continues to thrive and make a lasting impact in the community. Thank you, M&T, for making this possible. Because of you, we can sustain and enhance our operations and continue serving those who need us most.
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| Carrier Foundation and Sensitech Fuel Change
Thank you to Carrier Foundation and Sensitech for their impactful donation, which helps us maintain our vital operations. Your commitment to our work enables us to continue providing fundamental services, creating lasting change and expanding our capacity to those who walk through our doors.
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Nourishing Communities with New England BioLabs
We are deeply grateful for the generous grant from New England BioLabs, which allows us to continue to provide crucial food assistance to those facing food insecurity. This is vital in helping us nourish and uplift our neighbors, contributing to a healthier and more resilient community. Thank you, New England BioLabs, for being such an invaluable supporter in our mission to end hunger.
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Rock Voices Saturday, January 18, 7:00 PM Beverly High School, 100 Sohier Road, Beverly
Join the area's only community rock choir for an unforgettable night of music at Rock Voices! Enjoy cover performances of iconic songs from artists like Taylor Swift, Billy Joel, Foreigner, Radiohead, and more. It’s sure to be a rockin’ good time, all in support of a great cause. Funds raised will benefit Beverly Bootstraps! Buy your tickets HERE to sing along, have fun, and make a difference:
Little Hands, Large Hearts February 2025 Beverly Bootstraps, 35 Park Street, Beverly
Looking for a meaningful activity with your kids? Keep an eye out for our upcoming Little Hands, Large Hearts Tour happening in February! This special family-friendly tour of our Food Pantry and organization aims to teach kids about the power of kindness and the impact of hunger in our community. Email Deb Ploszay at [email protected] or stay tuned for more details—we can’t wait to share this experience with you!
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Monday, January 20 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
All Services and Thrift Shop closed
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