‘Not every struggle is visible’: United Way Northumberland needs your help
By editor/reporter Sarah Hyatt
In the wake of an affordability crisis and as living and housing costs soar, demand for help is only continuing to skyrocket across Northumberland.
From food banks to social services, to community non-profits and organizations like United Way Northumberland, increasing calls for help have been made clear – and even more so in recent years.
Under just partnerships through United Way’s funded agencies, those numbers have risen from 63 to 118 when comparing the last two fiscal years.
This November, United Way is calling on Northumberland to help in a new way, hoping the community will rally to tackle filling “Comfort and Joy” boxes for kids, teens, adults and seniors across the county who “could use a little extra comfort and joy.”
“This is brand-new initiative,” executive director Alicia Vandine told the Independent. “It was born out of our Period Promise program and hygiene cabinets.”
The program and cabinets make basic hygiene products, as well as incontinence supplies, freely available and accessible when people are in need. As part of this work, it also became clear that many are struggling “quietly, out of sight,” noted the organization, while announcing plans to distribute 250 boxes for this brand-new initiative over the holidays.
“What we heard a lot in the community was that need is certainly increasing,” Vandine told the Independent. “And we know that because of the national financial anxiety report that was done by United Way, but we’re also hearing it from our local partners.
“And of course, the demand (through) our Period Promise and hygiene cabinets has increased. And so, we just thought this was a good way to do a little bump up at Christmas time.”
“Not every struggle is visible,” added Vandine. “Some of our neighbours are living in their cars. Some rely on the food bank because there’s nothing left in the budget.”
At its core, this new initiative is ultimately about making sure people know their community cares for them this holiday season.
At the inception of the project, Vandine shared the team had started to think around how people who are struggling with basic essentials are likely also not going to have as merry holidays as affordability issues persist – and then what could they do about it.
“And so, we created this idea of the ‘Comfort and Joy box’ to start with, at the foremost, some of our hygiene items that we place in our cabinets, and how can we expand it to give even more comfort and joy?” she explained.
Now, United Way is calling on workplaces, schools and community groups to consider hosting November donation drives to help get this holiday-inspired fundraiser over the finish line.
Elsewhere, the team has been asking businesses and individuals to make donations to help fill these boxes, which will also be complete with old-fashioned, hand-written cards/notes meant to serve as another heartwarming gesture to let residents know they are not alone.
“We’re going to do some for kids, some for teens, some for adults and some for seniors, and looking for age-appropriate things, (such as) crossword puzzles, books, candy, food items, tea, (and) coffee – anything that brings you comfort and joy is what we’re thinking of placing into these boxes,” shared Vandine.
This means these boxes won’t just help with the everyday essentials that can sometimes be taken for granted – such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, hair products, toothpaste, toothbrushes, body wash, hairbrushes and socks, plus, the extras for each of age groups (like those examples listed above.)
Some of the additional recommended items for kids include small toys and trinkets, and for teens, magazines, body wash, gloves and toques. For adults, comfort items like body cream or hand wash and tea or instant coffee are encouraged.
And for seniors, the large-print puzzle books are always a hit, along with tea, tissues and hand creams.
“We’re looking at so much more need in the community, and how can we just bring a little bit of the holiday season to folks who may be struggling,” said Vandine.
In terms of a first-year initiative, she noted the 250-figure seemed manageable.
“… We’ll spread them out across Northumberland County and we’re working with local agencies to make sure that folks (who) are being taken care of through other programs are set – these are going to folks who aren’t currently receiving those supports. We’re leaning on the same model that we do for ‘Backpacks for Kids’ and we rely so much on the other community support services that are operating in Northumberland County to identify the candidates that should receive these boxes.
“And so, it’s really just that network that we have, that ability that we have to reach out to a lot of different groups to find out what (those individual needs are.)”
United Way has noted that drives can also focus on a single category or item, whether shampoo, kid’s toothpaste or the popular large-print puzzle books.
Vandine added that this project will ultimately be successful through the generosity of Northumberland, which continues to shine bright across the county when it comes to helping in their neighbours time of need.
Meanwhile, in terms of demand for help, she has also noted some shifts – like more than ever before people are reaching out for supports for the first time. From local seniors to younger families, as just two examples shared, it’s a real struggle for people to make ends meet, she explained.
Even if it’s just one item donated, it can make a difference, United Way is also reminding residents. Put another way, giving back doesn’t have to mean a big commitment.
“Imagine if everyone in your office brought in just one item,” said April Day, United Way’s program and communications manager. “On its own, it might feel small – but when we’re filling 250 boxes, every bottle of shampoo counts.
“This is how we do things at United Way – with community, in community, for community.”
Volunteers are also needed to help write the hand-written notes adding a special touch for the boxes on Dec. 14 and 15 at the United Way Northumberland office.
Meanwhile, for those who are interested in brightening the holidays but prefer United Way do the shopping, that is an option, too. People can visit www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/northumberland-united-way and use the drop-down menu to designate a gift to the “Comfort and Joy” project.
On average, United Way’s work across the county translates to help for more than one in every four residents – and this is despite immense growth across the region in recent years. Put another way, that’s more than 24,000 people here in the community.
Aside from government, United Way Northumberland is also described as the largest funder of social service programs in the area.
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