Community Service of Newburyport is Hosting its Annual Community Breakfast

CSN in the Newburyport Daily News this week.

Community Service of Newburyport, Inc. (CSN) is hosting a Community Breakfast on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 from 7:30-9:00 am at the Newburyport Senior Center. Funds raised at the breakfast will be used to directly assist local residents who are experiencing significant financial distress.

Established in 1912, CSN is a 501c3 non-profit charitable organization which seeks to improve quality of life by providing economic and social support to residents in need from Newbury, Newburyport, and West Newbury. Lead business sponsors for the Annual Community Breakfast include The Institution for Savings, SPS New England, The Newburyport Bank , Interlocks Salon and The Eastern Bank.

CSN Executive Director, Ray Pillidge, will briefly speak at the breakfast, highlighting the hidden poverty in these three primarily affluent communities. The 2024 Federal Poverty Levels (FPL) are defined as a family of 4 with an annual income of $31,200 and a single person with an annual income of $15,060. According to Pillidge, “It may surprise you to know that 7% of children in Newbury, 7% of children in West Newbury, and 5% of children in Newburyport are living below the Federal Poverty Level.

According to these federal guidelines, the total poverty level for families, children and seniors is 6% in Newbury, 5% in Newburyport and 3.5% in West Newbury.”

Over the last year, CSN has seen a dramatic increase in the need for basic services in Newbury, Newburyport and West Newbury. CSN assists with providing essential services such as utilities, rent, transportation, dental, medical, and prescriptions. CSN partners with local non-profit agencies to leverage financial support for local neighbors in need. CSN provides essential daily personal care and household items, adult incontinence products and diapers for children free of charge. These items are not covered by insurance or SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps.

In addition, CSN offers summer camperships for children to explore an interest or a passion as a bridge out of poverty. Pillidge reports that CSN continues to experience expanded growth in the number of households that are in dire need of assistance.

A full breakfast will be served and the tickets to attend the breakfast are $50 per person. If you would like to be an Affiliate sponsor the cost is $250 and includes one ticket to the breakfast.

Donations in any amount will be gratefully accepted. An opportunity to “Fund A Need” will be offered at the Breakfast.

Many tickets have already been purchased but there are still seats remaining. Those interested in attending the Community Breakfast should send a check to Community Service of Newburyport, Inc., PO Box 843, Newburyport, 01950 or visit our website at www.csn1912.org and look for the Community Breakfast Donate Now button. We hope to see you there and are grateful for your support of our local neighbors!

For more information, please contact Ray Pillidge at r.pillidge@csn1912.org or at 978-465-7562. You may also reach out to CSN Board member, Jay McGovern at jaymcg@comcast.net