In an effort to streamline the process for helping those in the Haverhill community struggling after losing federal food and home heating benefits, state Rep. Andy X. Vargas Monday launched a website he’s calling HaverhillHelps.com.
The effort is being joined by a $50,000 donation from Cedar’s Foods and CEO Charles Hanna to relaunch the One Haverhill Fund, and, as previously reported, a city food drive at the Haverhill Citizen Center.
“We’re blessed in Haverhill with great nonprofits, pantries and everyday people looking for ways to help our neighbors so that’s why I built HaverhillHelps.com to make the process of getting help, finding help and signing up to help as efficient as possible,” Vargas said.
Vargas estimates at least 14,661 Haverhill residents missed their federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits on Nov. 1 due to the federal government shutdown. Additionally, 3,500 households in the region who depend on federal fuel assistance have not received heating oil deliveries yet because Haverhill’s Community Action has not been given its annual grant award. Last year, Community Action distributed $4.5 million in fuel assistance, 75% to low-income households in Haverhill.
Vargas said the disruption in federal aid is also hurting many locally owned businesses that are losing sales. Some smaller grocery stores report 30% to 40% of their revenue is based on SNAP-paid sales.
Vargas’ website, HaverhillHelps.com, has four categories: donation requests from local nonprofits, including specific food items and volunteers; where to find food assistance; a cash donations tab for the One Haverhill Fund; and businesses offering help. For instance, the Vault 77 restaurant at 77 Washington St., is offering a free dinner buffet every Monday from 5-8 p.m. while the shutdown lasts; Emmaus, Somebody Cares New England and Sacred Hearts Parish have listed food items and personal care products needed to stock the shelves of their food pantries; and the Albert B. Consentino School is requesting clothing and personal care products like deodorant and body soap in addition to non-perishable food.
Vargas said he expects many more requests for food donations, posting for volunteer opportunities and offers of help will be added to the website in the coming days. He said residents should not be shy about requesting help because people stand ready to assist.
“With the current and future uncertainty surrounding federal cuts ahead, this is one way to leverage the greatest asset we have in our community, our people,” Vargas said.
The One Haverhill Fund was established by the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce during the COVID-19 pandemic to assist residents who lost jobs.