Waldo Community Action Partners work to meet demand for food boxes and gifts

BELFAST — When Waldo Community Action Partners launched its new online digital application process for the Neighbor for Neighbor Coalition earlier this fall, its members knew it would make signing up for holiday food boxes and Christmas gifts for children a simpler and more efficient process.

Now, to meet this increased demand for holiday services, program organizers are turning to the public for help.

We need more volunteers, more donations and more people willing to “adopt” children and/or families in need of gifts.

“We have seen a small but steady increase in demand for these holiday schemes over the past few years, but we knew there were even more people who would benefit from this service and who were deterred from applying due to the process previous heavier. In the past, applications were all on paper,” said Monica Pettengill, director of development, in a press release from the organization.

The previous process required people to acquire a paper application and receive it at their municipal office or receive it by post, they would then complete and return the application by post or in person to WCAP’s main office in Belfast. Staff then spent dozens of hours entering all the applications into a database.

The online digital application that Pettengill introduced this year allowed anyone with a phone or laptop to apply for holiday support in a process that took on average less than 15 minutes. All the crucial information to process the application was in the required fields, which almost eliminated the problem of missing information. Online applications also eliminate costs associated with data entry. Paper applications were still available for those who did not have the tools or ability to apply online, but digital applications began pouring in as soon as they opened in early September.

By the time Neighbor for Neighbor applications closed for Thanksgiving applications, there was an increase of nearly 15% compared to the same time last year. Even more are expected between now and the Christmas deadline on Wednesday, November 27.

“It’s really a great result, and it’s exactly what we were hoping for,” Pettengill said. “This presents new challenges, but we know the Waldo County community will support us to ensure everyone who needs help receives it this holiday season.”

Pettengill said he would first apply any savings from implemented efficiencies to help cover the direct costs of the food boxes and gifts.

“We know that each box of food costs about $40. This means that for every 10 additional households that apply, we have to cover an additional $400 per stay just for food. We also need to find around ten additional volunteers to help us deliver this food. Then, for households needing help with children’s gifts, we are looking for special people who love the thrill of giving experiences.

Thanksgiving food boxes will be delivered on Saturday, November 23 and Christmas food boxes will be delivered on Saturday, December 21. Gifts for children will be arranged by appointment, and anyone who has requested gifts should hear from WCAP staff within the first two weeks. weeks in December.

For more information or to volunteer, make a financial contribution or purchase gifts for the children, call the Neighbor for Neighbor phone line at 207-338-4944 or email [email protected].

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