Pennies for Poverty:
Two Cents For Change

InCENTives Archives:

Local nonprofit adds board member:

Shari Wilkinson has been elected to the Board of Directors at Pennies for Poverty: 2 Cents 4 Change, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing poverty in Newburyport. Wilkinson brings to the Pennies for Poverty organization her 20 years of experience in product design, development and marketing. As a co-founder of "Portals for Change," a community based support service agency, Wilkinson organized the "Day of Service" held this past January to honor Martin Luther King. She is also founder and coordinator of the Newburyport Farmers' Market, which holds its weekly market at the Tannery in Newburyport each Sunday. The Pennies for Poverty Board of Directors looks forward to working with Wilkinson as they continue to raise both awareness of poverty in Newburyport and promote their programs: 2 Cents, 2 Cans, 2 Hours, Together.

Newburyport owns up to poverty:
By Staff reports, Sat Apr 25, 2009, 11:01 AM EDT

NEWBURYPORT—Anyone who thinks poverty isn't something that touches Newburyport should probably talk to Janet Hawkes.

As the program coordinator of the Hugh Doyle Resource Center, an organization that connects residents with social service agencies and programs, Hawkes sees the effects of poverty on Port kids, parents, couples and seniors up close and personal every day.

If someone needs a place to live, fuel to heat a home, a job or some groceries to stock an empty pantry, Hawkes knows where to go, and who to talk to. But it isn't easy.

The Newburyport 2009 Poverty Survey, conducted recently by the local organization Pennies for Poverty: 2 Cents 4 Change found the level of need among Port residents is on the rise. However, unlike other communities, where hard times are a fact of life, in Newburyport poverty isn't always understood, and sometimes not even acknowledged. And that attitude adds an extra burden on individuals and families who find themselves struggling to stay afloat.

"The stigma of asking for help in Newburyport is powerful, and unfortunately we do not always get people coming to us until their situation is at the breaking point," says Hawkes, who offers the case of a local family, a single mother with two kids in middle school, to illustrate the point.

Hawkes says the family doesn't receive any child support, and they were forced to move when their landlord raised their rent. They now pay for an apartment with the help of a Section 8 voucher, a federal rent subsidy program for low-income families.

Although the mother was working, she had a job that allowed her to be at home when her kids were out of school. It limited her income, but it was a tradeoff she felt was worthwhile, and she managed to keep everything above water until she was injured at work and lost her job.

"She is receiving Workers Compensation, which pays 60 percent of her income," says Hawkes, who adds those benefits will last up to six months while she goes through a rehab program so that she can return to work.

"She supplements her food supply at the food pantries of the Salvation Army and Community Service. She was able to get hooked up with fuel assistance to help with her heat," says Hawkes.

"We were able to get her scholarships through the Angel Fund (a mission program of the Masons) for camp programs for the children in the summer," adds Hawkes. "We've spoken with some of the Newburyport sports programs about scholarships and payment plans for the sports fees that she is unable to pay, so that her children may benefit from healthy outlets and activities."

It's a tough story, but only one of many Hawkes could tell.

"This family is not alone in Newburyport, in terms of their situation," she says.

And other human services professionals like Hawkes, who are on the front line of the fight with poverty, are seeing the same thing.

Port resident Marion Rizzo, the coordinator for Community Partnerships for Children, also believes the number of Newburyport families in need is growing.

"We are experiencing more requests for fuel assistance (and) assistance in paying for childcare," says Rizzo. "I hear stories about one parent losing their job, and on one salary the family cannot pay the high cost of childcare."

Donna Sylvester, director of Social Ministry at the Newburyport Salvation Army, also sees a growing need but feels the city is not equipped to fully respond to the problem.

Catherine Gould and Laurie Ingersoll, the co-founders of Pennies for Poverty: 2 Cents 4 Change, hope to change that. They launched their organization last October to foster awareness of poverty in Newburyport, and to create a broad, community-based initiative representing all sectors of the city to find ways to end it.

But before Gould and Ingersoll could get the city on board to solve the problem, they first had to show the problem exists. They've done the work, collected the data and presented the Newburyport 2009 Poverty Survey, a big step forward toward their goal.

Changing attitudes

Although the Pennies team is now armed with facts, convincing Port residents that poverty should be at the top of the city's agenda may be a hard sell. Newburyport doesn't look like a place that would be home to any kind of significant economic hardship.

A few weekends back, the steady stream of shoppers on their way into Shaw's Supermarket in Port Plaza were surprised to be greeted by Pennies for Poverty volunteers who asked if they wanted to buy brown bags of groceries. The bags, priced at $5 or $10 each, were labeled with the products inside, closed, and lined up on tables. The volunteers explained the purchased bags would be distributed to area food pantries as part of the fight against poverty.

Most shoppers took their carts, glanced at the bags and hurried on. A few stopped, however, and asked questions. Some seemed surprised at what they heard. "Poverty in Newburyport? That's hard to believe. This is such a lovely city, with its big homes, downtown and waterfront. Surely, not here."

"Yes, here," they were told.

Sylvester, who has been in Newburyport for more than two decades, and who has worked at the Salvation Army for the past three years, isn't surprised at that reaction.

"I have noticed that social problems are not well recognized in Newburyport," she says. "I believe this is a factor of the large number of well-to-do people in town, including many of the new people moving in, plus remnants of that old Yankee-keep-it-to-myself independent spirit."

Social services vs. city departments

But some results from the poverty survey suggest the perception that poverty isn't a Port problem extends beyond the wealthy and those who are new to the city.

Pennies for Poverty conducted the survey in cooperation with Mayor John Moak's office. Nine direct service agencies and eight city departments participated and, as the summary explains, the results are a reflection of perceptions both by professionals who directly serve the poor and by city department heads.

The social services agencies rated the estimated poverty level in Newburyport as big or getting bigger with one agency describing it as average. Four of the agencies that responded said they had no change in the number of poor served, although they added that those flat levels were due to funding cuts or licensing limits.

The other five social service agencies that participated reported a significant increase in people served, anywhere from 9 to 60 percent, from 2007 to 2008. One agency saw their numbers jump from 19,680 in 2007 to 25,032 in 2008, with 6,444 of the 2008 increase occurring in the last three months of the year.

And all nine social service agencies expect at least a 20 percent increase in requests for services in 2009.

Meanwhile, the city departments that responded to the survey did not report the same level of urgency as the social service agencies. Five of the departments that responded described the level of poverty in Newburyport as average, while three characterized it as small.

The social service agencies and city workers also split sharply on the question of whether the stigma of poverty kept people from seeking services. All of the agencies responded that it did prevent people from seeking help while seven of the eight city departments said stigma had no effect.

The same split was seen on the question of whether there was adequate funding to meet the needs of poor people in Newburyport. Six of the city departments said there was enough money to address the problem, while eight of the agencies said there was not.

Newburyport poor

The survey also provides information that suggests that being poor in Newburyport is different from being poor in Baton Rouge, La. The federal poverty guideline for a single person is $10,830 and $22,050 for a family of four.

But significantly higher incomes are needed to stay out of poverty in Newburyport. According to the survey, adequate incomes are $25,000 for a single person, $35,000 for two adults,and $50,00 for a family with children.

Those who responded to the survey also identified a long list of factors contributing to poverty in Newburyport. Causes include, single-parent household, elderly fixed income, long-term unemployment, low or minimum wages, mental health (issues), domestic violence, drug or alcohol abuse, lack of job skills or education.

Rizzo says that the price of life in Newburyport also has a spot high up on that list.

"The extremely high cost of living in Newburyport has much to do with local poverty," she says. "The redevelopment of Newburyport was directed to attract a particular population, rather than recognizing and including the needs for the variety of populations."

And she suggests the city's eagerness to profit from the trend to upscale everything from housing to snack foods has also taken a toll.

"The philosophy of charge whatever the market will bear leaves many out," she says.

Sylvester agrees the cost of living is a major factor behind the city's poverty level, but she also zeros in on a lack of job opportunities.

"Even before the economic downturn there were few jobs available for the uneducated and unskilled," she says. "There is also a lack of good transportation to surrounding towns (where jobs might exist), and a lack of training programs."

Moving forward

Those who responded to the survey also offered suggestions on how to lift local residents out of poverty.

While most of the respondents said cooperation among the city and social services agencies was good, few said it was excellent and five said it needs improvement. Cooperation just among social services agencies received higher marks, but there is still an opportunity to improve.

At the Hugh Doyle Resource Center, Hawkes is already working toward that goal. She coordinates a monthly meeting with the city's social service agencies, churches and youth organizations to review common cases happening in the community.

"(We) discuss gaps that may be occurring and brainstorm possible ways to extend assistance and provide resources," she says. "These meetings create a sense of support and hope for all of us involved in human services."

Many who responded to the survey suggested that more work needed to be done to generate awareness of poverty, and of the services and resources available to people in need.

Although the list of specific solutions to poverty in Newburyport is much the same as any other city or town in the country, affordable healthcare, affordable housing, relevant job training the order may be slightly different. The need for affordable housing, good jobs and affordable childcare so people can work at those good jobs are priorities in the city.

"I'm seeing many new cases of either single moms or both parents working, but still unable to afford childcare for elementary and middle school children," says Hawkes. "There is a program in town offered by the YWCA at the Brown, Bresnahan, and Molin schools but they are unable to offer scholarships, and the programs are too pricey for many of the families that need it. This is a huge problem in Newburyport right now."

Meanwhile, the Pennies for Poverty team hopes to attract volunteers who are looking for no-cost or low-cost solutions to address the root causes of poverty and have long-term results.

Ingersoll says Pennies for Poverty: 2 Cents for Change was launched with the premise that if everyone in Newburyport donated just 2 cents a day, the organization could raise $125,000 annually. And Ingersoll and Gould hope that residents who can afford to help stick with the idea of good things coming in twos.

"We encourage everyone to donate two cans a month to local food banks and two hours a month of volunteerism in any capacity," says Ingersoll.

Summit planned to address increasing poverty in city:
By Katie Farrell, Staff writer

NEWBURYPORT—Mayor John Moak and the Pennies for Poverty program will host a Poverty Summit this spring designed to draw all city departments and local service agencies together to discuss and evaluate the impact of the growing number of people living in poverty in the city.

"Poverty in Newburyport is increasing," Pennies for Poverty co-founder Cathie Gould said yesterday. According to information provided by the group, 711 households in the city are classified as being in "severe poverty" (under $15,000).

Service agencies in Newburyport, like elsewhere, are struggling, Gould said, as aid has been cut, donations are down, and grants are fewer and harder to get. Meanwhile, the number of people using those agencies is going up.

"We need to be able to take care of these people," Gould said.

Pennies for Poverty: 2 Cents 4 Change is a volunteer organization founded to raise funds, promote volunteerism and raise awareness about poverty in Newburyport. The pennies program is a campaign to encourage everyone in the city to donate two cents a day to the 2 Cents 4 Change Campaign. Two cents a day is $7.30 per year, which, if everyone in Newburyport participated, would amount to $125,000, according to the program.

At the summit, participants will gather to evaluate the citywide implications of poverty and to determine the ability of the city and local agencies to handle such an increase.

Moak said the poverty program approached his office last fall in hopes of organizing such a summit, providing statistics on the amount of poverty in the city. Those statistics show how many in the city are close to hitting the poverty line, Moak said.

"There are a lot of people in this area that are on that verge of losing their home, poverty, things of that nature," Moak said. "So many people are close to the edge of poverty."

Gould said the program has sent a survey to all department heads and service organizations asking opinions on poverty in town and how it is perceived. That information will be compiled into a report. The survey is also available on the organization's Web site for any individual who wishes to fill it out. The deadline for the survey is Feb. 10.

Pennies for Poverty: 2 Cents 4 Change has also partnered with the First Parish Church of Newbury and formed a new Common "Cents" Garden program. Participants will grow vegetables for local food pantries. Under the program, the group will work with individuals and farms to encourage them to plant a row of vegetables to donate to food pantries and soup kitchens.

The program is also forming a Common "Cents" Resource Bank, or database of individuals who offer special skills and are willing to donate their time to help others, such as drafting a budget for one's household or aiding with nutrition education, even helping with taxes or writing a resume, Gould said.

For more information on any of these programs, visit the Pennies for Poverty program Web site at www.2cents4change.povertyprogram.com. The e-mail address is 2cents4change@gmail.com.

Glover elected to Board of Directors:

NEWBURYPORT—Pennies for Poverty: 2 Cents 4 Change, recently announced the addition of Dudley Glover to its Board of Directors. Previously, Glover owned and operated a graphics design and writing business for 25 years. Pennies for Poverty: 2 Cents 4 Change is a Newburyport charity aimed at helping with basic needs, such as home economics, family budgeting, basic savings and nutrition.

Adding his two cents:

Pennies for Poverty: 2 Cents 4 Change, Inc., a local non-profit organization, has picked up a new member for its board of directors. Dudley Glover will now be helping 2 Cents 4 Change organize Port residents who want to work together to fight poverty

Glover says he was attracted to the project through the vision of its founders, Catherine Gould and Laurie Ingersoll, who have brought their fight against poverty down to the local level. Their motto is "Two Cents, Two Cans, Two Hours, Together for Change." Okay, it's a little long for a motto, but you get the point.

Step one is to get each person committed to donating 2¢ per day, which is only $7.30 per year. Local retailers and businesses have been very responsive and have put in their 2¢-worth by displaying collection jars in their establishments. Step two is a commitment to donate two cans of food per month to a local shelter or food bank in order to provide nutrition to the homeless and impoverished families. Besides publicizing local drop-off points, a very successful can drive was held in October with the cooperation of local grocery stores.

The last step is a commitment to be a volunteer for two hours per month. There are many ways to volunteer. A person can also donate his or her skills, which is where Glover comes in. His plan is to start a bank—a resource bank—where individuals could list the skills they would like to contribute.

Now retired and working as a tax preparer for H&R Block, Glover owned and operated a graphics design and writing business for 25 years.

"As a small business, I was often solicited for monetary donations," he says. "I wanted to help, but with a struggling business, I had no spare cash. But we did have spare time. So, whenever there was some down time, I would typeset or print, gratis, for a deserving organization."

Glover feels that's the way to go today, particularly with the tough economy.

"There are lots of small businesses that would like to help. But these are hard times. Even though they don't have any spare change, they too may have spare time. Perhaps they could donate two hours of services per month!

"Similarly, individuals in the trades could help a family in crises with minor home repairs and emergency services. Counselors and other professionals could help by providing a couple of hours of service," he says.

The list of needs is as varied as the individuals who live in our community. The goal is to help with basics, such as home economics, family budgeting, basic savings and nutrition. Another goal is assistance in developing work skills. The end goal is getting a job. Tutoring, computer instruction, resume writing, interview techniques and job-search coaching are just some of the skills that are desperately needed.

Individuals who would like to participate should contact Dudley Glover at 978-462-0891 and leave a voice mail with their contact information and a description of the skills they would like to donate. People who can volunteer in food drives, penny collections or other events should contact Cathie Gould at 978-463-0507, or 2cents4change@gmail.com.

Hard times have social services struggling:
By Stewart L. Stokes/Special to the Current

Newburyport - Hunger, homelessness and food security worry an increasing number of Newburyport families, evident by the marked rise in those seeking help from the city's many social services groups and agencies. Likely due to the economic downturn of late, records show these agencies are serving more families than in recent years past.

As summer approaches, it's easy to forget the neighbors who are struggling to stay afloat to survive the tough economy. Here's a look at what several local organizations are experiencing as more and more families and individuals struggle to make ends meet.

Where there's help

The Hugh Doyle Resource Center (a satellite of Pettengill House) is a new service in Newburyport. Janet Hawkes, program coordinator, describes Hugh Doyle as a referral agency coordinating with all the other agencies in Newburyport, plus the churches and schools.

"People in need can come in and get answers rather than going from place to place," said Hawkes. "We are seeing a combination of things happening. Families are struggling to put food on the table, pay for gas, utility bills, school fees, plus, in some cases, dealing with foreclosures and decisions as to where they can live. We're able to help clients find resources appropriate to their needs."

Deborah Smith, executive director of Pettengill House, based in Salisbury and serving individuals, children and families in Newburyport and nearby communities, said she sees a new client population in need.

"They represent the middle class and are experiencing foreclosures and high gas and heating costs. This new group is having difficulty living paycheck to paycheck," she said.

The Pettengill House mission is to "support, empower and coordinate community and state services, provide basic needs, emergency assistance, prevention education, case management and support to those in need." Smith describes the Pettengill staff as "frontline people working closely as liaisons between home, school and community."

Pettengill's services are growing, she said. "During fiscal 2007 we provided services to 2,269 clients, of whom 1,278 were adults and 991 children. This was a 26 percent increase over fiscal 2006," said Smith. "Our total this year continues to climb. As of April 30, we are providing services to over 2,600 clients."

The upward trend in requested services is mirrored at the Salvation Army.

Donna Sylvester, Salvation Army family development director for the Newburyport office, said, "During 2007, we served 24,816 people from eight communities with financial assistance and our food pantry. We also served 70,788 hot meals. 2008 is proving to be much busier."

Sylvester said there's been a particular increase in working families and two-income families in need of assistance.

"We are seeing more people out of work and more elderly since their safety net [of Social Security, Medicare, prescription coverage and related services] is no longer sufficient," she said.

Betty Leary is director of Community Service of Newburyport, Inc., a private agency serving families and individuals that has been operating for 96 years.

"We provide a food pantry, new and used clothing, small household items, bedding and personal care products. We also help with electric bills for people who face [service] termination, help pay for summer camp for young children and help at Christmas," said Leary.

Community Service's clientele is changing, too.

"Many families have been forced out of Newburyport due to our high cost of living. We are seeing more elderly single people and immigrants. Immigrants often arrive with little or nothing, so they come to us especially for clothing and bedding," she said.

Preparing for an aging population

The Council on Aging, or COA, is a city department dedicated to the advocacy of older adults. The council's mission is to "identify their needs, develop and implement services to meet their health, economic, social and cultural needs, encourage maximum independence, and improve their quality of life."

COA Director Roseann Robillard estimates that some 424 Newburyport residents use COA services during a typical year, services such as: health insurance counseling, the city's Senior Citizen Property Tax Work Program, assistance with Food Stamps applications, access to free community meals and a transportation program that brings seniors wherever they need to go.

Robillard said the city's senior citizen population is growing and is expected to double by 2020. What's not growing, though, is the agency's source of funding.

"We are funded by the municipal budget, however, the slow economy plus high fixed costs result in our inability to grow the department," she said.

One lesser-known program within the city is the General Charitable Society of Newburyport, founded in 1850. The group's president, Sally Eames, described its mission as helping residents in need with rent, food, heating assistance, car repairs and dental expenses.

"One thing we will not help with, however, is credit card debt," Eames pointed out.

Another lesser-known source of assistance is the Poverty Program.

Cathie Gould developed the Poverty Program to "educate and publicize social and moral issues that impact poverty here at home and in the world."

The Poverty Program also makes available a Web site—www.povertyprogram.com—for service organizations to use to describe their resources and needs for volunteers. The site reports that more than 2,600 Newburyport adults and children are "living below poverty level."

Gould's husband, Robert, is president of the Newburyport Howard Benevolent Society, established in 1819, that "gives financial assistance to Newburyport residents in serious need."

The number of groups dedicated to helping those struggling to make ends meet in Newburyport are many, but some who could use the help may be reluctant to ask, especially here. In a city where calling yourself a resident comes at an ever-increasing premium, the number of those not seeking assistance is likely significant.

Hawkes said, "Due to the stigma in Newburyport, people are hesitant to ask for help."

Those who help run these agencies want residents to know the social service community is collaborative in order to provide the assistance most needed.

As Leary said, "We are here!"

Here's a listing of local social services organizations:

• Hugh Doyle Resource Center: Janet R. Hawkes, 978-465-1688
• Pettengill House: Deborah M. Smith, 978-463-8801, ext. 11
• Salvation Army: Donna Sylvester, 978-465-0883, ext. 12
• Community Service of Newburyport Inc.: Betty Leary and Martha Arias, 978-465-7562
• Newburyport Council on Aging: Roseann Robillard, 978-462-8650
• General Charitable Society of Newburyport: Sally Eames, (contact via other agencies)
• Poverty Program: Cathie Gould, www.povertyprogram.com
• Newburyport Howard Benevolent Society: Robert Gould, (contact via Hugh Doyle Resource Center)
• Society of St. Vincent DePaul: Immaculate Conception Church Parish Center, 978-234-7416

'Road to Santiago' offers inspiring trek:

Dudley Glover, an insulin-dependent diabetic with coronary heart complications who combats his disease by walking, presents "The Road to Santiago" on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Belleville Congregational Church, 300 High St., Newburyport.

He has made three 500-mile treks along ancient footpaths across northern Spain. The goal for Glover, as with thousands of pilgrims before him, has been to reach Santiago de Compostela, a city north of Portugal on the Atlantic Ocean.

These treks are Glover's effort to increase awareness of the ravages of diabetes, to demonstrate the benefits of walking, and to inspire others with the message that one can enjoy living even with serious health concerns. Diabetes is a major contributor to vascular disease and coronary heart failure, as well as the leading cause of blindness, limb amputation and kidney failure.

Glover's diabetic mother struggled with blindness and dialysis, and his father died of a heart attack at a comparatively young age. In September 2000, Glover underwent quadruple cardiac bypass surgery. Before surgery, he couldn't walk 50 steps to his mailbox. Days later, the medical staff had him up and walking the corridors. Three days later, he was released from the hospital with the admonition that he must get regular exercise. He started walking every day and actually grew to like it. Within a month, he was walking 5 miles a day. Within two years, he did his first 500-mile trek.

In 2007, he trekked 360 miles along the towpath of the old Erie Canal to upstate New York. He started in Buffalo on Oct. 1 and arrived in Albany 30 days later, in time to participate in a diabetes forum.

Glover chronicles his trips in Spain and the interesting people he's met on the Web site >www.RoadtoSantiago.org. His most recent trip, along the Erie Canal, is outlined at www.TrekkingAlong.org. Sunday's event is hosted by Pennies for Poverty: 2 Cents 4 Change. Call 978-463-0507 or e-mail 2cents4change@gmail.com for more.

Food drive, fair offer chance to help those in need,
By Katie Farrell, Staff writer, October 02, 2008

NEWBURYPORT— A penny here or there may not seem like much.

But two cents a day can lead the way to a whole bunch of change, says one local not-for-profit group.

"Pennies for Poverty, 2 Cents 4 Change," a new campaign from the Poverty Program, is hoping Newburyport residents will donate just two cents a day to help local residents in poverty.

As part of their efforts to increase participation, the new group is hosting two events aimed at drawing in volunteers and helping the community.

Laurie Ingersoll, a co-founder of the program, said the group is holding a food drive at Shaw's Supermarket in Port Plaza from Friday, Oct. 24, through Sunday, Oct. 26, that will help stock the shelves at local food pantries.

"We need volunteers, especially for the food drive," Ingersoll said. "We need an army of people to help us out there."

As winter approaches, food pantries are seeing more and more customers showing up for services, Ingersoll said, including those who are employed and just can't make ends meet.

"It's growing each week, and this is what's so scary," she said.

In the weeks since the program was first announced earlier this summer, Ingersoll said the feedback from the community has been strong. Residents of all ages—kids to seniors—have come up with their pennies, she said. Local businesses around the city have put out collection jars for the pennies, as have the local fire stations.

The group has also set up accounts at the Newburyport Five Cents Savings Bank, the Provident Bank and Eastern Bank, for people to deposit their change in.

"People like the fact that it is so doable," Ingersoll said. "Everyone feels a part of it, and that's what's so spectacular. You don't have to be a millionaire to make a difference."

As a way to recruit volunteers to join in the project, the group will have a table at the Volunteer Job Fair at the Unitarian Church Parish Hall on Pleasant Street on Friday, Oct. 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 18, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Unitarian Church and the Chamber of Commerce are working with the "Pennies for Poverty 2 Cents 4 Change" program and helping to sponsor the fair.

For more information, contact Cathie Gould at 978-463-0507.

ITEMS IN NEED:

All non-perishable canned foods will be collected at the Food Drive in Port Plaza, but food pantries are most in need of the following: Hamburger Helper, Boxed potatoes, Canned meat, Juice, Coffee, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Canned fruit, Cereal, Crackers, Diapers, Baby food, Cookies, Rice, Health care products, Men's T-shirts, underwear and socks

Campaign asks for your two cents to fight poverty,
By Melanie Graham, Staff writer for the Newburyport Daily News

NEWBURYPORT - They linger in car cup holders, rest at the bottom of piggy banks and sit in trays on convenience store counters.

Pennies may seem small and insignificant, but when it comes to poverty, two local women are trying to show that a couple of cents a day can go a very long way.

That is the message the Poverty Program is trying to send to community members with its new "Pennies for Poverty: Two Cents Campaign," a project that asks Newburyport residents to donate just two cents a day to help local residents in poverty. Their goal is to get the entire city, from students to seniors, involved.

"There's quite a bit of poverty right here in town," said Catherine Yesair Gould, Director of the Poverty Program and co-founder of the Two Cents Campaign. According to literature put out by the program, there are currently 2,417 people in Newburyport living below poverty level.

According to Gould, if everyone in Newburyport were to save two cents per day for one year ($7.30 per resident), the entire town would raise $125,000. The money raised would be used to assist in programs aimed to lift those out of poverty such as career counseling and day care vouchers.

Pennies for Poverty will incorporate local businesses as well as volunteers, asking stores, banks and other locations around town to place a jar in their businesses for customers to donate their pennies. Moreover, templates for stickers will be available on a future Web site, allowing residents to create their own donation can at their home. The project will be run in conjunction with the Hugh Doyle Center, an organization that coordinates the services of churches and other social services within the town.

To get started, the campaign is looking to local volunteers to assist in the decision-making process, promotion and initiation of the beginning stages of the Pennies for Poverty project. Introductory meetings will be held this month in the Stage Room at the Belleville Congregational Church in Newburyport. The first meeting will be this Monday, June 23 at 6:30 p.m. and for those who cannot attend, a second meeting will be held on Sunday, June 29 at 3 p.m.

The Poverty Program is a privately funded, volunteer organization that aims to educate people about and publicize social and moral issues as well as events that impact poverty locally and worldwide. The program was initially supported by the members of the Belleville Congregational Church but has since grown with the involvement of other area churches.

Laurie Ingersoll, co-founder of the Two Cents Campaign, said that the Poverty Program generally focuses on worldwide hunger issues, specifically in Africa. However, it can be difficult to draw attention to the hunger crisis on the other side of the planet.

"People say 'Well, that doesn't apply to me,"' said Ingersoll. "We want people to realize that poverty is in their own backyard."

With gas prices venturing to record-breaking heights and food costs not far behind, Gould explained that many people, especially elderly residents and single parents, are facing problems.

"The jobs just aren't there," Gould said.

The Poverty Project wants to go beyond pennies, as the group plans to integrate the fundraiser into a multi-tiered campaign that includes food donations and a volunteer job fair. A kickoff for that fundraiser is planned for December 2008.

The slogan, "two cents, two cans, two hours, together" melds several volunteer opportunities for community members to help the impoverished. "Two cans" is the collection held by local churches on the first Sunday of every month asking churchgoers to donate two cans of food. "Two hours" is the two hours asked of locals to volunteer helping a fellow neighbor with a job or participating at a career fair that will be held by the organization in the fall.

With the combined efforts of all of the two cent programs, Newburyport has the potential to raise over $3 million.

Perhaps, then, the extra penny from that 99 cent drink or candy bar will soon have a more significant purpose.

"It's a very doable program if people understand the simplicity of it," said Ingersoll. "You really can make a difference with just two cents a day."

Our View: Poverty problem finds local solutions,
from the Newburyport Daily News

As we struggle to deal with inflation, economic sluggishness, and soaring gas and food costs, poverty is being spread to a new demographic.

Food pantries throughout Greater Newburyport are reporting a surge in requests for food, as well as steady growth in attendance at meals. Pantries are noting a trend - many working families who tread just above the line are now finding they can no longer afford to pay for some of the basic needs.

It's good to see people are understanding the problem and taking action. We have two examples here in Newburyport to point out:

Laurie Ingersoll and Catherine Yesair-Gould have established "Pennies for Poverty: Two Cents for Change." They hope that if every Newburyporter donates 2 cents a day, they can put a tremendous dent in local poverty. Such an effort would raise $125,000.

The group estimates that in Newburyport there are about 2,417 people living below the poverty level.

"People say, it doesn't apply to me," Ingersoll told The Daily News. "We want people to realize that poverty is in their backyard."

They will be holding an organizational meeting on Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Belleville Congregational Church.

Kim Keene, the parent of a Newburyport High School teen, organized a summerlong food drive with the help of the high school's Interact club. The teens are going door to door in their neighborhoods, collecting food for Pettengill House. The first one was held earlier this month; subsequent food drives will be held on Saturday, July 12, and Saturday, Aug. 9.

"Places like Pettengill don't get a lot of food donations this time of year," Keene said. "People need food 12 months a year."

We're lucky to have a wealth of well-run local aid agencies - such as Pettengill House, Our Neighbors' Table, Community Action and the Salvation Army to name a few. They are in constant need of community support, and it takes volunteers and coordinated efforts to make that happen.

We applaud these two efforts, and hope that they will spur us all to help address the poverty problem.