History

LCOC Mission Statement:

The mission of the Lower Cape Outreach Council is to provide emergency assistance of food clothing and financial support to individuals and families in Brewster, Chatham, Eastham, Harwich, Orleans, Provincetown, Truro and Wellfleet which will lead to healthy, productive and self-sustaining lives as part of the Cape Cod community. (Adopted by Board of Directors 11/1/2001)

Neighbors helping neighbors for over twenty-five years!

Lower Cape Outreach Council was founded in 1980 at the Eastham United Methodist Church where parishioners, realizing that there were local families struggling to make ends meet, raised $2,500 to help.

Since that time, Lower Cape Outreach Council has undergone a lot of change and growth.

As the need in our local communities has grown, we have expanded our services by opening food pantries in each of the eight towns we serve: Harwich, Chatham, Brewster, Orleans, Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro and Provincetown.

We also run Katy’s Korner, a free clothing store in Orleans, where qualified clients from each of the eight towns we serve may come and receive clothing and bedding.

Additionally, we have a team of advocates who screen our clients and can authorize emergency financial assistance to help a family or individual survive a period of economic crisis. While we do not give cash directly to our clients, we make direct payments on mortgages and rents, fuel and utility bills, medical and prescription drug expenses, child care and transportation, educational opportunities and a variety expenses that can break an already stretched budget.

The combined yearly total of cash, food and clothing distributed in 2007

was $652,432.17.

This was accomplished through a variety of fundraisers, foundation and town grants, and the generosity of Cape Cod residents, businesses and seasonal visitors.