Outreach News: Your gifts to Tedford Housing in January totaled $1,478.00.

The Outreach Committee is pleased to announce that our special offering in February will benefit The Gathering Place and particularly the added costs associated with operating the warming center seven nights a week.

When the temperatures drop and staying warm becomes a challenge, The Gathering Place’s warming center is a beacon of hope for those in need. Warmth and safety are the primary purposes of the warming center as we work to ensure our neighbors in need have safe shelter and choices.

Mary Connelly, director of The Gathering Place notes: “In addition to shelter, we offer our warming center guests hot beverages like coffee or tea and light snacks or meals. Furthermore, information about additional resources, like housing assistance, state benefits, local resources, and medical and mental health services are available from our trained staff.

The cost to operate the warming center is significant. We are fortunate to have received funding from Maine Housing to cover much of the staffing costs. Still, The Gathering Place (TGS) is experiencing a substantial increase in food costs, occupancy costs (electricity and heat), and transportation needs due to operating the center. In addition, as the weather grows colder and we see an increase in the number of people needing this program, TGP may have to expand its staffing, which would be an additional cost to the organization.

Your support will help TGP offset the unexpected costs of operating the warming center seven nights a week. Thank you so much for your attention and participation.”

Our gifts to The Gathering Place will be collected throughout the month of February. To donate online to this month’s Special Offering, visit our E-Giving page and select “Feb. Special Offering: The Gathering Place” from the Fund drop-down menu. To donate by check, be sure to specify “The Gathering Place” in the memo line.