The Rehoboth
Reporter
NOVEMber 2009 Volume 21, no. 11
FREE
Serving the Residents of Rehoboth, Seekonk and Surrounding Communities Since 1989
The Holiday Guide turn to page 47
Holiday Toy Drive & “Blizzard of Giving” Details on page 7 & 88
Thanksgiving Day Game DIGHTON-REHOBOTH Falcons vs. SEEKONK Warriors at Seekonk High School 10 am
Rehoboth Food Pantry Needs Help To Keep Up With Demand
By Laura Calverley The economy may be showing signs of improvement, but many people are still finding it difficult to make ends meet. Food pantries have been especially hard hit as a result. Unemployment is still high and with so many people out of work, there are more families seeking assistance. And supplies are not keeping up with the demand. “Demand has gone up 20 to 25 percent since last year,” said Steve Martin, who runs the Rehoboth Helping Hands Food Pantry. Helping Hands is serving an average of 45-50 families, which amounts to 200-250 people every week. Sometimes it’s as high as 57 families. Because Helping Hands relies mostly on donations, it is also struggling with the fact that many people are tightening their budgets and therefore have less to spend on donations. “Donations have slowed down. I’m hoping they’ll pick up for the holidays,” said Martin. Martin tries to remind everyone that they help people 52 weeks a year. Many of their clients have recently lost their jobs, or their homes. They are people who have worked their whole lives and now find themselves going through tough times. Helping Hands also offers emergency fuel assistance this time of year. Martin says he’s had five families call for fuel already and winter hasn’t yet begun. The fuel assistance is one-time, for emergencies, and clients receive 100 gallons of oil or the equivalent if they heat with wood, gas or electric. ...continued on page 7
Give Thanks by Helping Those In Need Patrick B. Brown, member of Troop 1 in Seekonk is working towards completing his Eagle Scout project. He is organizing a collection drive for the Haven of Grace Woman’s Shelter, a non profit, long term, residential program for women who want and need to change their lives. Thanksgiving is the perfect time of year to give thanks and help those in need. Read more about Patrick and how you can help others in need on page 75. Pictured at left: Patrick Brown and his dog.