Winter Newsletter 2022
LISTEN
LISTEN’s mission is to provide services and support to meet the critical needs of Upper Valley individuals and families.
LISTEN Winter Newsletter
Dear Friends,
As winter quickly approaches, a new level of stress has hit our community. With the inflated cost of day-to-day staples, many of our neighbors are now facing impossible choices–like choosing between heating their homes or buying groceries.
At LISTEN, we see the power of our community coming together to help each other. That has been our strength for over 50 years now.
LISTEN is addressing critical needs at levels we have not seen in the Upper Valley. Every day, the staff is receiving calls from people who have never reached out before. More and more community members are requesting help to pay for heating fuel and prevent utility disconnection this year. The demand at LISTEN’s food pantry in Lebanon is up 47% since just last year.
During this season of giving, will you join us in helping your neighbors? Your donation means that we can turn your compassion into action, and mobilize multiple resources for those struggling to make ends meet. 100% of your gift will help your Upper Valley neighbors to move forward, rebuild, and thrive.
We are grateful for our community. We are grateful for you. Your kindness makes a difference every day.
Sincerely,
Jay Benson
Chair of the Board of Directors
Your Donation Matters... Last year, YOU helped LISTEN provide:
“LISTEN has been a huge blessing for me and my family! As things have been getting financially difficult for our family, we needed some help with fuel for this winter, and also making this holiday season special for our kiddos this year. I’ve never needed help before but was so happy to have a place to call and ask for support.
I’m beyond thankful for this assistance and all who make it possible!” – Carole
Food Assistance
With the price of food increasing, more people are turning to LISTEN to feed their families. 2022 is another record-breaking year – visits to our food pantry increased by 47% since just last year. LISTEN is also now regularly serving more than 110 dinners a night at our dinner hall in White River Junction.
253,261 pounds of food distributed through
LISTEN’s food pantry
25% of guests at LISTEN’s community dinner hall
are homeless
Hannah is a single mother of three children who visited LISTEN’s Food Pantry at 60 Hanover Street in Lebanon this year. She loves cooking and experimenting with recipes that use the fresh produce and ingredients available at the pantry. “I have many mouths to feed. I could never put such quality, nutritious food on the table without LISTEN!”
Heating Assistance
For Upper Valley neighbors unable to pay their heating fuel bills, especially the elderly and those with young children, a lack of heat can be life threatening. LISTEN’s Heating Helpers program is a critical part of our community’s safety net to keep them warm during the coldest months.
1,151 individuals received help from
LISTEN with heat or electricity this year
Elizabeth is a senior who lives in Lebanon. Her landlord recently raised her rent, and so she contacted LISTEN for help to afford a delivery of heating fuel. “It’s a huge relief. I didn’t know how I was going to get through this winter, but because of LISTEN, I now have resources and hope.”
Housing Assistance
While the housing crisis in the Upper Valley continues, LISTEN is focused on preventing neighbors from falling into financial crisis and homelessness. Service coordinators provide 1-to-1 support to help individuals and families, and connect them to resources that help them to stay in their homes.
Over 250 evictions prevented for Upper Valley families
3,407 hours of
individualized service coordination and support
“When my landlord sold our building, I contacted LISTEN for help. The service coordinator knew of a landlord with a future opening, and together, we filled out the emergency assistance paperwork needed to get into this housing. My daughter and I were only homeless for one week thanks to the LISTEN staff and their connections in the community.”
How You Can Help
Our Upper Valley neighbors who volunteer their time at LISTEN are essential partners in serving our community. Please join us! We are looking for vital assistance such as:
Food Pantry
Stocking shelves, assisting visitors,
and unloading deliveries
Community Dinners
Preparing food, serving at mealtimes, cleaning the kitchen and dining hall
Thrift Stores
Sorting clothes, housewares,
and more
Signing up is easy – visit listen.volunteerhub.com to register and find opportunities for you.
Everyone is welcome! Come alone or with your family, colleagues, or other small group.
Thank you to all our amazing volunteers in 2022!
771 total volunteers
10,128 hours donated across our thrift stores, food pantry, dining hall, and more
Richard Green, Interim Executive Director, Hanover, NH
LISTEN’s Board of Directors
Jay Benson, Chair, Norwich, VT
Ken Wells, Vice Chair, West Lebanon, NH
April Harkness, Secretary, Hartland, VT
Julie Findley, Treasurer, Lebanon, NH
Lynne Goodwin, Lebanon, NH
Sarah Lord, Hanover, NH
Steve Monteverdi, Wilmot, NH
We need YOUR help to keep up with the growing service demand.
For 50 years, LISTEN has been on the front lines providing vital support for people across the Upper Valley facing crisis. The demand for help with services such as food, housing, and utility assistance is now at an all-time high.
When you give today, you are helping your Upper Valley neighbors experiencing hardship. Every dollar is used to respond quickly, when action is most needed. 100% of your gift will help them to move forward, rebuild, and thrive.
MEDIA CONTACT
Organization Name:
LISTEN Community Services
Email:
Send Email
Phone:
(603)448-4553
Address:
60 Hanover St
City:
Lebanon
State:
New Hampshire
Country:
United States
Website: www.listencs.org
