The Marshfield Community Fund
BEHIND THE LINE: BY ALYSSA QUAKENBUSH
It’s an all too familiar scene now, the mandatory business closures, school cancellations, sparsely stocked grocery stores, and friendly faces hidden behind masks. But not so long ago, life was pretty normal, and nobody could have ever anticipated the almost immediate shift from business as usual to this current state of uncertainty.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has brought some of the most far-reaching and debilitating instances of economic uncertainty and financial instability for Marshfield’s population. Marshfield continues time and time again to prove that love and generosity are our familiar neighbors. Yet this crisis is a completely different beast; nothing that’s been in place had the means to support the ever-growing population of individuals in need. That’s where the Marshfield Community Fund comes in.
THE UNITED WAY
The Marshfield Community Fund is a result of the unprecedented collaboration between the United Way of Mass Bay/Merrimack Valley and the United Way of Greater Plymouth County. This intersection of charities is working in conjunction with the Marshfield Chamber of Commerce, local and state officials, and the individuals and families of the town. It exists as a way for local nonprofits such as the Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield, the Marshfield Food Pantry, and Sowing Seeds to continue providing financial aid to the most economically vulnerable families and individuals in town.
100% of the money raised by the Marshfield Community Fund will go directly to the people who need it most.
The allotments from the Marshfield Community Fund are not loans so they do not need to be paid back, and the fund will function much like the aforementioned nonprofits; it’s here to help the citizens of Marshfield, no questions asked. The donations will be funneled through these nonprofits, as their established clientele already consists of the most at-risk groups in town.
The impetus behind the Marshfield Community Fund project is local powerhouse Lara Brait. Lara currently is serving in Marshfield as both, Executive Director of the Marshfield Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Marshfield Public School committee. With her finger on the pulse of the community, Lara’s current positions allow her a bird’s eye view as the pandemic continues to unfold. Knowing there was so much more we needed to be doing as a community to assist those severely impacted by the crisis, watching the responsiveness of local nonprofits and observing how other towns along the South Shore were dealing with concerns in their own communities; it quickly became evident to Lara that there must be a way to rally the various relief efforts through consolidating, channeling and distributing each respective package under one fund.
BEHIND THE LINE: THE MARSHFIELD COMMUNITY FUND
After listening to neighboring towns’ officials talk about their respective challenges, Lara felt that Marshfield families needed a voice. So, she created a survey to put out to the town that could be submitted anonymously. At the end of the survey was a section to write down contact information for people who needed immediate assistance. Responses have graciously been handled by State Senator Patrick O’Connor and his staff along with State Representative Patrick Kearney and his staff. It caught on fast; the survey has garnered almost 1,000 responses, which accounts for approximately 10% of Marshfield’s families. This data served as a bench mark for establishing which type of assistance Marshfield locals need the most during this unique time. The group is hopeful that this data will also allow for local and state governments to determine the focus and direction needed once we enter the wake of the pandemic.
With this data acquired, Lara decided that the option with the most immediate impact would be to establish a relief fund. With the help of her school committee colleague Brigid Boyd, who works for the United Way Mass Bay/Merrimack Valley Chapter and Jen Cantwell who works for the United Way of Greater Plymouth County, they devised a plan to create this fund that will help Marshfield’s most vulnerable.
A TRINITY UNITED
The dedication of the trifecta of movers, shakers and all things possible makers, that is Lara, Brigid, and Jen has resulted in this beautiful project that will do so much for our neighbors in Marshfield. Time and time again, this community has stepped up to help a neighbor, friend, or stranger because we know that if we were needing help, Marshfield would be right there behind us. That’s what we do here: we help each other up, we care for each other.
If you would like to help, MarshfieldToday.com will continue to furnish a link to the United Way on our homepage. The donation process is quick and easy.
BACKGROUND
As COVID-19 reverberates across hospitals, offices, schools and homes, Marshfield residents are struggling with how the disease, and its economic fallout, will impact their ability to eat, stay in their homes, ensure access to medical care and critical supplies and the impact it will have on their small businesses.
According to a recent survey by the Marshfield Chamber of Commerce, 20% of non-essential businesses surveyed are already in a position that they will not be able to reopen once restrictions are lifted.
45% of families surveyed have experienced a total loss of wages or are on unemployment/ receiving unemployment benefits.
50% of families surveyed have an essential employee living in their home.
20% of families surveyed are in need of immediate financial assistance or immediate food assistance