Assistance Provided

Most frequent applications: The area where the greatest help was needed in recent years was in heating assistance. Cases where people had exhausted their heating allowance under HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) and were months away from any further governmental assistance.

Other Requests: The Helpers Fund has provided assistance to individuals and families that have required assistance with the payment of utility bills, requests for fuel to attend doctors and hospital appointments outside of Chestertown, clothing requests, emergency food, medicines as well as other unique needs.

Other areas: Over the years there has been a significant number of individuals and families assisted through the Fund’s Holiday Drive. Most of the assistance from this program was for winter clothing, or clothing in general.

In recent years the Fund has provided toys for children during the Holiday Season to bring a bit of joy and happines to their lives.

What Kind of Assistance Is Available?

This is a question often asked of the Fund. The answer is "almost anything." But generally the assistance may be a food allotment at a supermarket, or heating assistance when HEAP has been exhausted, or gas for a car that is taking someone to medical appointments. But it may also be a clothing purchase, or the help with a specific type of bill, or in the case of a family facing a crisis and having lost everything it might be a combination of items.

But in all cases, the assistance is given through a business, and at no time does the person or family receive it directly.

The Helpers Fund is a 501(c)3 charity certified by the Internal Revenue Service and governed by the IRS Regulations governing charities. The Fund is incorporated under the laws of New York State's Department of State, and is registered with the New York State Bureau of Charities.

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