FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 11, 2020
CONTACT:
Cherrelle Norris
617.455.7212
Susan Kooperstein
617.875.3619
Put a smile on a child’s face.
Make a difference during a challenging holiday season.
Join in the ABCD Winter Fund 2020
Emergency Heating Assistance
Rental/Housing Assistance
Toy Drive Donations
Clothing/Food Drive
Requests for help are out-pacing
donations in this difficult time:
WE NEED YOU!
Call 617-348-6559 TODAY
During a normal year, New England’s bitter cold winter brings critical difficulties to families and seniors struggling with basic needs for food, shelter, heat, and warm clothing. This year – with the ravages of COVID-19 causing widespread unemployment and excruciating hardship – Action for Boston Community Development’s WINTER FUND 2020 is reaching out for help in meeting unprecedented needs, keeping families safe and warm, and spreading hope and joy during this challenging holiday season. Many of the families turning to us for aid have never had to ask for help before.
ABCD President/CEO John J. Drew thanks past donors to the ABCD Winter Fund and hopes that this year even more people will recognize the soaring need in low-income communities hit hard by the virus.
“Many of the more than 100,000 people served annually by ABCD have endured ongoing racial and economic disparities and have suffered disproportionately from this pandemic,” he said. “In addition, our food pantries and other programs are swamped with thousands of people who never asked for help before. Please help us meet the crushing needs out there.”
IF YOU NEED HELP:
- FUEL ASSISTANCE CALL 617.357.6012;
- RENTAL ASSISTANCE CALL 617.348.6347;
- FOOD PANTRIES AND ALL OTHER NEEDS CALL 617.348.6329 or go to bostonabcd.org/#location
IF YOU CAN HELP – CALL THE ABCD “GIVE LINE” AT 617.348.6559 or go to bostonabcd.org/donate
ABCD encourages those who can provide assistance to get on board WINTER FUND 2020! Here’s how you can help.
EMERGENCY HEATING ASSISTANCE:
ABCD Fuel Assistance is there to keep the heat on in tens of thousands of Boston-area low-income households. But with needs so great, a surge of applications are arriving with the cold weather. Many customers will use up their fuel benefits before Christmas. ABCD must raise considerable EMERGENCY funds to keep households warm THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS AND ALL WINTER LONG. Please open your checkbook or go online at bostonabcd.org/donate to send a holiday donation to the ABCD WINTER FUND to help fend off heating assistance emergencies.
FOOD/CLOTHING DRIVE:
The lines at ABCD Food Pantries are huge – more than one in five households in Massachusetts faces food insecurity. Children are going to bed hungry. Warm clothing, blankets and comforters are desperately needed. Please donate non-perishable food items and new coats, comforters, blankets, boots, and winter clothing for children. Clothing can be dropped off at ABCD Roxbury/North Dorchester NOC, 565 Warren St., Roxbury or go to bostonabcd.org/service/coat-drive/
TOY DRIVE:
Because of COVID-19, the ABCD Toy Drive is now a GIFT CARD drive with parents provided with gift cards to purchase toys and other gifts so that there are presents for children as they celebrate the holidays.
“It’s not just about the toys,” said President/CEO Drew. “It’s about hope and possibility. In this difficult year, the ability of parents to give their children a gift during the holiday season means the world to all of them. They will be better able to deal with difficulties and move forward as a family.”
HOW DO I GET ON BOARD THE ABCD WINTER FUND 2020 TO HELP THOSE IN NEED?
Visit us at BostonABCD.org/donate or call 617.348.6559 or email give@bostonabcd.org.
Donations can also be made by mail, addressed to:
ABCD WINTER FUND 2020
Action for Boston Community Development, Inc.
178 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02111
