ABCD Holiday Appeal

Dear Friends:

Happy holidays! Many of the 2,400 clients we serve a year in the North End, West End, and surrounding neighborhoods are immigrants, elderly, non-English speaking, homebound, disabled, and alone. They are the “hidden poor” and without the NE/WE NSC, would have been forced out long ago by gentrification, soaring rents, and failing health. As senior citizens on a fixed income, our elderly are facing hunger once again in a time of economic uncertainty, rising rents and energy costs, and the increase in food prices.

The holidays are wonderful, but many of the seniors who flock to our doors have no sense of belonging and no comfort. The NE/WE NSC is their family. That is why we try to make the day a special one for the elderly who come to us. The kitchen is busy and hectic, like any other holiday kitchen. The smells of meatballs and gravy fill the air and our volunteers personally serve our guests and welcome them.

We are asking you to please send a donation in the largest amount you can comfortably afford today. The NE/WE NSC realizes that you are faced with many hard choices this holiday season and thank you for making it possible for us to make available the precious, sustainable gift of food to your neighbors. A $50 contribution would provide two bags of fresh and non-perishable groceries for an elderly man or woman living alone…$200 would purchase 4 holiday food baskets for homebound seniors who have no visitors…$1,000 would provide a homemade, 4 course lunch for two crowds of roughly 100 persons each… and of course we welcome any donation, large or small. And of course in addition to meals, you will also help fund critical programs-including meals, food pantries, fuel assistance, housing, and much more- which keep the elders in the neighborhoods they have called home their whole lives.

Should you wish to make a donation, please mail to:

The North End/West End Neighborhood Service Center

1 Michelangelo Street

Boston, MA 02113

If you have any questions, please contact Maria Stella Gulla, Director, at 617-523-8125, Ext. 201, or via email at mariastella.gulla@bostonabcd.org.

With appreciation,

Maria Stella Gulla

Director

ABCD