HELP at H.O.M.E. March 7, 2017
HELP at H.O.M.E.
Tuesday, March 7, 2017, 4:00 p.m.
Location: Senior Center, Arts & Crafts Room
Meeting Minutes
Present: Brian Bullock, Faye Ellis, Karen Halley, Susie Marsh, Jim Robinson, Marty Holman and Joe Sullivan
- The September 13, 2016 Minutes were passed after S. Marsh noted an error regarding the Massachusetts Teachers Association link for the next edition of the booklet.
- Welcome Aldrich Relief Fund/CoA update - Faye Ellis. See attached report. Possible explanations for the reduction in disbursements were cheaper oil and a milder winter. It was suggested that we keep trying to get the message to Holden residents that the Welcome Aldrich Relief Fund exists. Suggestions were: modify the application process; talk with school counselors; reach out to the clergy in town; reach out through the Wachusett Food Pantry; arrange an information event for filling out forms and introducing the new edition of the booklet; and, create a Facebook page.
It was decided that:
1. K. Halley would contact the Town Manager’s office to inquire about use of its Facebook page and/or creating a link to it using the H@H logo and text created by the H@H committee.
2. M. Holman will contact the clergy of the town and share the new edition of the H@H brochure and create Facebook links.
3. B. Bullock and J. Sullivan will contact the Town Manager’s office to inquire what, if any, are the restrictions regarding thee supplying of gas cards to the appropriate personnel at Mountview Middle School for dispersement to parents of families in need in a confidential manner.
- Treasurer’s Report – Jim Robinson. The total amount of deposits from September 2016 to February 2017 was $14,639.71 and the total amount disbursed was $5882.40. For details regarding the most recent financial report, please see attached document. Cost of postage for the same period was $126.02. The three categories for disbursements were: Heat ($2853.61 on 6 accounts); Electric ($2378.83 on 5 accounts); and Other ($649.96 on 2 accounts) for a total of 13 disbursements.
Twenty-one new requests for help were received, of which one family received help twice. Five cases were closed for no contact and 6 remain open. Three of the payments made during this period were for applications received prior to this time period (September to February).
JR will create a graph of donations versus disbursements since the inception of H@H.
Access to the Town electronic sign for March to remind residents to apply for assistance and/or to donate will be pursued with the Town Manager’s office.
- Facts (reference manual) –Susie Marsh. The new edition (3rd) edition underway. The current booklet has been checked once for correct/complete information and is now ready for a final check by C. Smith of the CoA and K. Halley. S. Marsh will obtain quotes for the 3rd edition printing and work with HCTV regarding cost/purchase order/its page of the booklet and how it appears.
J. Robinson offered to add CodeRed information to the booklet and anything else he notices. All members of the Committee were asked to peruse their draft copy to look for possible alterations to the text. K. Halley will provide the MTA link and the WFP website information.
The printing date is tbd but will likely be in the next few months.
5. Clergy Outreach – Marty Holman. Starting in September, M. Holman will contact all the local members of the clergy to share booklet availability, both hard copy and in .pdf form on the Town of Holden website. It was suggested by MH to use Facebook as an interface tool. Depending on the outcome of 2., we hope to have links to the Facebook pages of as many in 4. as possible.
6. Food/WFP Update – Karen Halley. Kim McCarthy is the President-elect of the Wachusett Food Pantry. Any suggestions such as making announcements of the H@H/Welcome Aldrich presence in the Holden community will be sent to her. The Holden Road Race and other community activities allow the WFP to continue its mission “to provide emergency food assistance to any resident of Holden, Paxton, Princeton, Rutland and Sterling in a caring and confidential manner as a part of the Worcester County Hunger-Free Network”.
7. Thoughts for Future – where do we go from here? Options for other kinds of help were discussed, including alternative processes for receiving assistance rather than the application method. Also discussed was the need to continue to encourage residents to seek and provide assistance. See 2. The discussions will continue at the next meeting.
7. The next meeting will be Tuesday, September 19thth at 4 pm at the Holden Senior Center.
8. Adjournment occurred at 5:45 pm.