Jan 13, 2016
The Compassion Society has received a grant of reprieve.
The Burlington-based clothing and food charity, whose board of directors said last month that the organization faced possible closure early in 2016 due to financial troubles, has received money from a local group.
It was announced Tuesday that the Compassion Society has been given a one-time grant of $20,000 by the Burlington Community Foundation (BCF).
“This generous grant from the Burlington Community Foundation is critical to us,” said Dave Young, chair of the Compassion Society’s board of directors.
“This support will help us keep our doors open so we can continue helping those most vulnerable during the coldest months of the year.
“In a nutshell, $20,000 will enable (us) to operate for two full months and will cover rent, salaries and operation of the (pick-up/delivery) van,” Young noted.
The Compassion Society, located at 484 Plains Rd. E., also has received significant help from other sources, he added.
A front-page story in the Dec. 18, 2015 edition of the Burlington Post, detailing the plight of the organization, directly led to more than $15,000 in donations to the charity as well, said Young.
“At this time we have enough funding to stay afloat until mid-late summer, and we hope much longer when our fundraising efforts begin to pay off. An example of those efforts is that we have contacted nearly all churches in Burlington and are optimistic that we will get a number of positive responses.”
In 2014, the Compassion Society distributed an estimated 180,000 pounds of food ($480,000 value) and 60,000 items of clothing ($120,000 value). Volunteers donated more than 9,000 hours.
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