From Annual Report 2020 – 2021

This year has certainly been like no other. From the unfortunate loss of life, jobs, schooling, and what was considered “normal”, the COVID-19 pandemic presented one of the most challenging times in recent memory. CFC served as a lifeline to our community by remaining open through the entire pandemic providing much needed services through our essential programs: food security, energy assistance and health care. Within many of these programs we serviced more vulnerable households than ever before. We saw the number of families utilize our food pantry nearly triple, as well as servicing more than 1,400 new fuel assistance clients.

This would not have been at all possible without CFC administration, program directors, staff and volunteers who worked to provide services in a much different way than ever before. This was accomplished through remote classrooms, additional childcare services, tele-health, zoom meetings, over the phone and online appointments for individuals and families, food pantry window service, Thanksgiving baskets, and toys for Christmas! I cannot thank our employees enough for their unique impact in the lives of so many community members. I would also like to acknowledge our CFC Board for being incredibly supportive and caring by empowering our agency to continue advocating and promoting social and economic justice for everyone within our service area.

Each year we are overwhelmed by the generosity of so many who support our agency programs. Both small and large businesses, our politicians (local, state and federal), sister nonprofits, the Southcoast Foundation, and the community at large came forward with generous monetary support and constant encouragement. Without a team effort, CFC would not have been able to support the services needed most; we are extremely grateful for these organizations and the camaraderie that exists between us. As a community, we pooled our resources and did the best job possible to help our residents. New and strengthened collaborations helped collectively meet the needs of our community members during the most critical times. We certainly learned that when we work together, we are stronger!

I’d also to extend a special thank you to the true heroes of the pandemic, our first responders and health care workers, who courageously saved lives and continue to provide care for COVID patients and vaccinate our community.

All that we have done this past year emphatically shows the effectiveness of Community Action and our mission. CFC will remain dedicated to this mission and will continue to support our community as we recOver from this past year.

Thank you and stay well,

Elizabeth Berube

Executive Director