NEWBURYPORT — A penny here or there may not seem like much.
But two cents a day can lead the way to a whole bunch of change, says one local not-for-profit group.
"Pennies for Poverty, 2 Cents 4 Change," a new campaign from the Poverty Program, is hoping Newburyport residents will donate just two cents a day to help local residents in poverty.
As part of their efforts to increase participation, the new group is hosting two events aimed at drawing in volunteers and helping the community.
Laurie Ingersoll, a co-founder of the program, said the group is holding a food drive at Shaw's Supermarket in Port Plaza from Friday, Oct. 24, through Sunday, Oct. 26, that will help stock the shelves at local food pantries.
"We need volunteers, especially for the food drive," Ingersoll said. "We need an army of people to help us out there."
As winter approaches, food pantries are seeing more and more customers showing up for services, Ingersoll said, including those who are employed and just can't make ends meet.
"It's growing each week, and this is what's so scary," she said.
In the weeks since the program was first announced earlier this summer, Ingersoll said the feedback from the community has been strong. Residents of all ages — kids to seniors — have come up with their pennies, she said. Local businesses around the city have put out collection jars for the pennies, as have the local fire stations.
The group has also set up accounts at the Newburyport Five Cents Savings Bank, the Provident Bank and Eastern Bank, for people to deposit their change in.
"People like the fact that it is so doable," Ingersoll said. "Everyone feels a part of it, and that's what's so spectacular. You don't have to be a millionaire to make a difference."
As a way to recruit volunteers to join in the project, the group will have a table at the Volunteer Job Fair at the Unitarian Church Parish Hall on Pleasant Street on Friday, Oct. 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 18, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Unitarian Church and the Chamber of Commerce are working with the "Pennies for Poverty 2 Cents 4 Change" program and helping to sponsor the fair.
For more information, contact Cathie Gould at 978-463-0507.
ITEMS IN NEED
All non-perishable canned foods will be collected at the Food Drive in Port Plaza, but food pantries are most in need of the following:
Hamburger Helper
Boxed potatoes
Canned meat
Juice
Coffee
Peanut Butter
Jelly
Canned fruit
Cereal
Crackers
Diapers
Baby food
Cookies
Rice
Health care products
Men's T-shirts, underwear and socks
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