A Christmas Message

Posted on December 14, 2011 by admin| Leave a comment

It is another beautiful sunny day in Seneca Falls. The temperatures are downright balmy for December. One could almost forget that we are only a couple weeks from Christmas.

Here at The House of Concern we are filled with the Christmas Spirit. It is a wonderful time of year for donations and that makes our job MUCH easier.

Back in August and September we, unfortunately, spent more money buying food for the pantry than we made in the store and took in with donations combined. Now even people who do not run a business know that you can’t continue that way for very long. The money just plain runs out.  Part of the problem was that donations are always low that time of year but the other big factor was that we had so many more people who required services from the pantry. It looked like this:
June: 240 families
July: 242 families
August: 306 families…yes you read that right
September: 299 families
October: 290 families
November:  349 families

We were almost overwhelmed in the face of such need.

Almost.

The fact is that once the numbers starting climbing we started getting the word out and then several people in the community started to take action.

We were blessed to receive donations of food and money from area schools, businesses, and churches and individuals.  That helped us a great deal.

An Ad Hoc group was formed in October to help us look to new ways to address the growing needs. Their interest and ideas have been appreciated more than I can say.

This past weekend was the “It’s a Wonderful Life” festival in Seneca Falls. It was by all accounts a wonderful event and successful beyond belief. For those of you who don’t know, the House of Concern is blessed to receive proceeds from several of the events.

I am frequently reminded of how very apropos the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” is. Seneca County takes care of its neighbors in need. It does it through its unwavering support of agencies like ours.

For that I am most grateful and feel truly blessed.

I wish all of you a wonderful holiday season and much joy in the coming year.

Diane Draheim
Executive Director
Seneca County House of Concern

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Food Sense Program

Posted on December 14, 2011 by admin| Leave a comment

The House of Concern will be participating in the Food Sense program during 2012. The Food Sense Program is a Food Co-Op. There are no income, age or residency requirements. For $15.50 you will receive $31 worth of food. They also have specials that you can purchase.

Sign-up dates for 2012 will be posted here when they are available. The Office of the Aging also participates in this program so folks can sign up there if it is more convenient.

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Festival of Wreaths Drawing Thursday 12/16

Posted on December 14, 2011 by admin| Leave a comment

FESTIVAL OF WREATHS – Proceeds will Benefit House of Concetn

The Festival of Wreaths is still going on at the Seneca Museum of Waterways and Industry and Seneca Falls Visitor Center, 89 Fall St. in downtown Seneca Falls. Sponsored by the Seneca Falls Business Association, the wreaths were created by sponsoring businesses, with proceeds from raffle of the wreaths, going to the House of Concern and the Seneca Falls Business Association.

Participants can purchase raffle tickets for the wreaths at the visitors and deposit their tickets “Chinese auction” style in a box for the wreath of their choice. Many of the wreaths include gift certificates or other bonus goodies.

Here are most of the wreaths being offered:

The IDEA Center

Seneca Office Products

Summit Federal Credit Union

Robinette Jewelers

Back to Nature

D & A Liquors

Van Cleef Homestead

Eagle Auto Center

Seneca Falls Library

Seneca County Arts Council and Gallery

WomanMade Products

Sherry's Bear and Frame

Seneca Museum

Downtown Deli/Nonni's Italian Imports

Sinicropi Florist

Montezuma Winery

Blossoms by Cosentino

Seneca County Arts Council and Gallery

Fall St. Pharmacy

Ferrara Lumber

Parkers Grill and Tap House

 

 

 

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VFW Post Donates to House of Concern

Posted on November 17, 2011 by admin| Leave a comment

Richard McNabb and Ron Rapoza of the Lt. Cyrus Garnsey III VFW Post 1323 in Seneca Falls present Cyndi Wing, Client Advocate at the House of Concern with a check for $2,000. McNabb said, “We got the letter from the House of Concern telling us about the greater need this year, so we were happy to be able to help out.”

“That’s what we’re here for,” Rapoza agreed. “We’re here to help out our community.”

Employees of the House of Concern are also responding to the greater need the organization is facing in this year of economic struggle, particularly for those who have already been struggling. Many of the folks receiving food from the House of Concern are working one and sometimes several jobs, but simply can’t afford the food they need for their families. The HOC employees have put together a special Raffle, to be drawn on December 16th.

Prizes for the drawing include a 32″ HD LCD TV, an iPod, A gift basket of products from local businesses, a basket of cheer and multiple chances for gift certificates. Tickets are $2 or 3 for $5.


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Food Pantry Needs Items

Posted on October 25, 2011 by admin| Leave a comment

With 20 families coming to the House of Concern before noon Tuesday morning, the Food Pantry shelves were depleted of the following items:

Veg beef soup

chicken noodle soup
beef stew
hamburger
toilet paper
kidney beans

The shelves are very low on:

peanut butter
cereal

In September, the House of Concern needed to spend about $4,000 at local grocery stores to fill the growing need for food in our area. This is in spite of an increase in donations.

Those wishing to support the effort to feed hungry folks in Seneca County are reminded that purchases from the Thrift Store at the House of Concern are used to help buy food to stock the shelves. With increased donations, the stock of gently used items for sale is very good. In addition to clothing, the store has household goods, CDs and Videos, games, books and much more. Furniture and household appliances are also available.

Area food pantries do work together, and your contributions to any of the six Seneca County food pantries help alleviate hunger in our area.

 


 

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HOC Needs Beans

Posted on October 20, 2011 by admin| Leave a comment

The House of Concern is currently in urgent need of beans. All kinds of beans.

Director Diane Draheim says, “The pantry needs beans..Kidney Beans, Pork and Beans, great northern beans, dried beans..we have none.”

Bring your donations to the House of Concern Food Pantry at 35 State Street, Seneca Falls. For information on how to set up a food drive at your business or school, please call 315-568-2433.

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Food Sense Co-Op Can Double your Money

Posted on September 15, 2011 by admin| Leave a comment

Do you want to save money on your grocery bills? Are you looking to get the most bang for your buck? Try the Food Sense Co-op program. For $15, you will receive $31 worth of groceries. Each month there is a list of meats, cheeses, fruits and vegetables that you can buy for just $15.  There are also specials each month that you can buy.

There is no income eligibility, age or residence requirement. This is a program for everyone who wishes to stretch their dollars.

The House of Concern is now a site where orders will be taken and the food picked up. Place you October order by October 7th. Delivery will be on October 21st.

All orders must be prepaid. Cash or Food stamps only.

For more information please call Diane or Cyndi at 568-2433 or visit the House of Concern and pick up a list of the October food and specials and sign up today.

 

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Columbus Day Sale

Posted on September 15, 2011 by admin| Leave a comment

There will be a special Columbus Day bag sale at House of Concern on Monday October 10th.  We will have clothing on sale for $7 a bag and special tables of clothes on sale for $5 a bag. Mark your calendars and tell your friends.

 

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Program on Energy Saving Offered

Posted on September 8, 2011 by admin| Leave a comment

The Cornell Cooperative Extension and House of Concern are presenting a program entitled, “SAVE ENERGY, SAVE DOLLARS” at the House of Concern training facility, 35 State Street, Seneca Falls on Tuesday, October 11, from 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM.

Partipants will learn about
• Low-cost, No-cost Energy Conservation methods
• Making your home more energy-efficient
• How to get help weatherizing your home Continue reading →

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SNAP Program Info Available

Posted on August 22, 2011 by admin| Leave a comment

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is designed to help New Yorkers afford healthy food. SNAP provided support when times are tough and prices are high.

Many Seneca County families today have been forced into making decisions between food and heat or rent. The SNAP program helps ease the economic burden for those facing such hard choices. Using SNAP also benefits your community; every $5 spent generates $9 in economic activity. Continue reading →

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