The Lower Cape Outreach Council was started by the Social Concerns Committee of the Eastham United Methodist Church, and the Nauset Family Advocates for Headstart around 1980. LCOC officially incorporated as a non-profit 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization in 1984.
‘Love Pantry’, created by Lois Langhans and Christine Austin, is our first food pantry. It is still located at the Eastham Methodist Church.
LCOC was started because the ‘Love Pantry’ realized more aid was needed for the outer Cape.
LCOC incorporated as a nonprofit.
“To coordinate the efforts of service agencies, organizations, and churches on the Lower Cape to meet the emergency needs of persons and families who are temporarily outside the reach of public assistance.”
LCOC has grown to 6 food pantries and a financial assistance program for fuel, shelter, utilities, furniture, clothing, and medical expenses to fill an unmet need.
Orleans Food Pantry opens in 1987 at the Orleans United Methodist Church. Office space at 19 Brewster Cross donated and staffed by volunteers 3 days a week. Start of Advocate program to administer Financial Assistance Program.
Eastham Fire Department Toy Collection begins with Chief Jack Austin collecting toys for LCOC to distribute to the children of the Lower Cape.
“Katy’s Korner”, a clothing collection and distribution center opens, originally located in the Orleans Plaza near Staples.
Provincetown Pantry Opened.
Chatham Bars Inn starts the annual ‘Giving Tree’ event.
First Golf Tournament at Captains Golf Course.
Gifts of Hope Campaign is published in the Cape Codder by editor, Mark Skala. December drive brings in food, clothing, and $9,000 in its first year.
Katy’s Korner moves into 19 Brewster Cross Road.
Santa’s Stop opens when John Mcmullen, President of the Brewster Chamber of Commerce, donates space for the first-ever Santa Stop.
Signed first contract with the Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) covering Brewster, Eastham, Harwich, and Truro in April.
Wellfleet Pantry opens at the Methodist Church on Main St. and later moved to Grace Chapel.
Established endowment fund, office space renovations, and GBFB contract signed for Orleans, Chatham, Wellfleet and Provincetown.
The Hope Chest, an LCOC thrift store, opens in Spring.
LCOC expands to First Floor at Brewster Cross Road.
In 2022, after 16 years of managing the race, the Chatham Turkey Trot Committee retires and hands management of the race over to LCOC.
Purchase of our ‘forever home’ at 19 Brewster Cross Road.
From our humble roots of organizing assistance out of the homes of our founders to the opening of Katy’s Corner in 1988, LCOC has become an essential part of the community, providing comprehensive assistance to those in need of immediate support and encouraging long-term sufficiency for all.
Worth of Food
Worth of Clothing
In Financial Assistance
Continue to meet the growing demand for our services, particularly increased access to our food pantries and eventually a mobile food pantry.
Renovations to our headquarters at 19 Brewster Cross Road, to increase capacity for our food programs, Katy’s Korner, and additional staff.
Increase the amount of Financial Assistance to increase our impact of encouraging self-sufficiency by supporting educational opportunities within our community.
We need your help as demand for our programs and services continues to grow. In 2022 – 2023, our food pantry saw a 150% increase in visits and the demand for financial support has grown substantially as well.
To meet this demand, we need your help.
With your support, we can continue to grow our programs and make an impact on the next generation of our community.
