THE JOY OF GIVING - Fall brought drastic variations in temperatures this year, and summer has Secretly slipped away. Enfield Loaves and Fishes is asking again for your kind generosity as the Holiday Season and colder weather rapidly approach with this end of the year appeal letter.

While "Hunger Has No Season", we remember the working poor, the unemployed, and the homeless in this season when compassion and love are celebrated around the World. As Work hours were cut back, some businesses shuttered, or worst relocated out of state. Without a job, many of our friends and neighbors had to turn to the Soup Kitchen for help.

While Moms and Dads see their work hours reduced, demands on the Soup Kitchen to provide meals increases. In the past year, we have served over 128,101 meals, of which nearly 36% were to children alone. Loaves and Fishes collaborated with Educational Resources for Children by supplying 108,116 snacks for eight schools with programs located at five sites, an increase nearly doubling that of last year. The equivalent of 42,798 meals were also provided to families in emergency situations. These numbers are sobering in a country of such prosperity and abundance of food.

Long range weather predictions indicate that this winter will be a little colder than last year, with significantly more snowfall in mid to late winter. Oil prices have risen recently due to hurricanes, and the demand for heating oil in colder weather invariably causes a spike in costs. Please remember those less fortunate among us who constantly struggle with choices between food, health care, medicine, housing, and heat. While the economy is struggling, the demand on the Soup Kitchen is increasing every day.

This year, please consider Enfield Loaves and Fishes in your plans for charitable gift-giving. Your gift is a crucial part of our year-round Commitment to feeding the hungry in our community and from surrounding towns. Since we are also a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, your donation is tax-deductible. We are wholly dependent on private donations as well as the surrounding business community in Order to Survive. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Murray Brayson, President

Enfield Loaves and Fishes, Inc. 20. Box 544 • Enfield, Connecticut 06083-0544 

Phone: (860) 741-0226