FPBC Updates

Happy Monday!

I hope this post finds you well. I'm writing today with some exciting news, updates, and recruitment of volunteers. 

First, our current family has found housing! It's been a long road and we are very excited for them. We have been working with community partners to gather items they need and we have been collecting/storing things here for them when they move out. Our family is ready and moving out on February 22, 2024! 

Second, spring cleaning has started early! We are in need of assistance in organizing and clearing out the old, outdated, broken, etc. things here at our center. We are looking to start this process in the next couple of weeks- week of 2/18/24 and week of 2/25/24. Please give us a call if you are interested in helping us out. 

Last, but not least, during this time of transition, we need to regroup as an organization. With that being said, all assistance for our programs have been put on hold and we are not accepting in-kind donations (clothing, toiletries, household items, cleaning supplies, baby items, etc.) until further notice. However, we are still accepting monetary donations by check, and/or online via our website or Facebook. 

Thank you for your continued support, dedication, and generosity. We could not do any of this without you. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please let us know. Have a great week!

~Abigail (Abbie) Benton

Executive Director

Letter of Support

Dear Community Members and Partners,

My name is Abbie Hockstad, and I am the Executive Director for Family Promise of Barry County. Our mission is to help families experiencing homelessness and low-income families achieve sustainable independence through a community-based response. We are a 501c3 nonprofit, supported through individual donations, grants, and fundraising events. We could not exist without this continued provision. I am writing to you today in the hopes of supporting our mission and our endeavors here in Barry County.

Did you know, U.S homelessness up is 12% to highest reported level as rents soar and pandemic aid lapses? “” While numerous factors drive homelessness, the most significant causes are the shortage of affordable homes and the high cost of housing that have left many Americans living paycheck to paycheck and one crisis away from homelessness,” Jeff Olivet said. With the overall rise, homelessness among individuals rose by nearly 11 percent, among veterans by 7.4 percent and among families with children by 15.5 percent.” (pbs.org/newshour/economy)

Family homelessness is here in Barry County, and with your help, we can end homelessness one family at a time. Our programming allows us to be with families every step of the way to empower them to economic stability. We strongly believe that every child needs a clean, safe place to sleep and that families should stay together—not separated as in traditional shelter programs—during their most difficult time in their lives. Families come to us in crisis; we help them rebuild their lives with new skills and ongoing support.

Your partnership brings emotional security, individual growth, personal safety, educational consistency, tangible support, and economic stability to the families of Barry County. But most importantly, your support will ensure a future for Family Promise of Barry County and assist us in achieving our vision in creating a community in which every family has a home, a livelihood, and that chance to build a better future. Help us give families the promise of a home.

Sincerely,

Abbie Hockstad, Executive Director

Family Promise of Barry County

executive.director@familypromisebarrycounty.org

Tis the Season to Give from the Heart!

"Giving is not just about making a donation. It is about making a difference." ~Kathy Calvin