Tuesday, March 26, our “24 Hours of GRACE” will ask you to help us help those in need. This “24 Hours of GRACE” is your chance to do the very most good for the people GRACE serves.
Past donors to our “24 Hours of GRACE” campaigns have funded GRACE Hunger Services, Housing Services, Health Services, Emergency Services, Senior Services, and Children’s Services—our entire Continuum of Care.
“24 Hours” gifts have helped GRACE broaden services, and develop new ways to help those in need. These gifts gave hope to many who had no where else to turn. “24 Hours” gifts in March 2020, helped us survive the terrifying times during the start of the pandemic.
Since we began “24 Hours of GRACE” in 2013, these gifts have touched the lives of so many families in so many ways.
“24 Hours” gifts have never been needed more than this year—“24 Hours in ‘24”. Please give. Your gift will be put to immediate use helping those waiting in line every morning before we open.
The number of people coming to GRACE is climbing—nearly back to COVID levels!
Only the massive numbers of people seen during the COVID years of 2020 and 2021 top the count from this past fiscal year.
Even greater is the need for the services in our Continuum of Care.
This past year we provided 104,621 service units—even higher than those seen during the worst of the pandemic.
A “service unit” is one Food Pantry visit, or one Community Clinic treatment, one clothing voucher, one rent or utility payment, and each one of the other services in our Continuum of Care—104,621 times.
The returning upsurge of need is alarming. Fewer people requiring more services mean deeper, longer-lasting personal and financial crises, and needing a greater amount of services.
Please consider a gift to “24 Hours in ‘24”. Your gift will support our entire Continuum of Care so everyone can be served and no one is left out.
The number of people in need is climbing again. Last year we saw 10,301 unduplicated clients come to GRACE, a 46.9% increase over the previous year.
Here are some other comparisons (FY23 vs. FY22):
Last year, 739 clinics were conducted at the GRACE Community Clinic—11.6% increase over the previous year.
34,265 lunches were served to children during GRACE Feed Our Kids program—12.9% increase.
3,394 people were helped through the GRACE Christmas Cottage—16.4% increase.
2,086 children received clothing packets from the GRACE Clothing Room—27.6% increase.
1,515 families were added as new clients to GRACE Client Services—37.1% increase.
11,129 clients visited the GRACE Food Pantry—58.4% increase.
Even now, six months into the 2024 Fiscal Year, the number of people seeking help are running at crisis levels, and needing more services.
If you’ve recently made a gift to GRACE, maybe during the holidays, thank you!
If you can, please consider another gift to help us at this time.
Hunger is daily. Housing is monthly. Health crises can happen anytime. Emergencies happen when least expected. Your gift during “24 Hours of GRACE” will come at a time when donations are low and the need is greatest.
Please consider a recurring gift!
Your recurring gifts form a stable source of support. They guide our budgeting for services. A promise of funding-to-come allows us to anticipate the needs of those coming to GRACE, and anticipate future costs.
We also ask you to spread the word about “24 Hours of GRACE”. This year’s “24 Hours in ‘24” may be the most important online campaign we have mounted to date. Let others know you support GRACE, and how they can too!
On the Monday before, you will receive a message from our Chief Executive Officer, Rebecca Cox. She will ask you to make a pledge—to help us help those in need.
New people are coming to GRACE at the same rate as during the pandemic. It’s difficult for many to see an end to their struggle. Many are discouraged by endless financial problems, homelessness, ongoing health crises, or other devastating issues.
Many lack the confidence to overcome these difficulties.
With your help, GRACE will continue to serve, taking on each families’ struggles one-by-one, and assuring each their troubles will ultimately end, and they will be stronger and more self-reliant because of their valiant fight.
But only with your help.
Your gift of $500 or more annually, one time or total recurring, gives us a chance to thank you and declare your generosity to the rest of the community: we will deliver a “Choose GRACE” sign suitable for mounting in your front lawn.
Your “Choose GRACE” sign will let everyone know you have made a gift to secure the future of our community.
So many families need your help now more than ever—your generous gift will help them finally look forward to a secure, healthy, and stable future.
“24 Hours of GRACE” only comes once a year. Please make “24 Hours in ‘24” count with a gift to help GRACE help those in need.
