Summer of Hope

Summer 2022 is here and we at Lower Cape Outreach Council are launching our Summer of Hope Campaign.  Summer on Cape Cod brings images of beaches, barbeques, baseball, and fireworks to mind which is so exciting as our world seems to be returning to the pre-COVID days.  However, while many are soaking up the summer fun, there are countless local residents who are struggling to make ends meet.

LCOC is committed to living up to our mission of the last 40 years: to provide comprehensive assistance to those in need of immediate support and to encourage long term self-sufficiency.  It is well known that the Cape is facing a housing crisis. Many are worried about losing their homes as long-term rentals are turning into vacation and short-term rental properties.  We have workers who cannot find housing and their earnings are not keeping pace with the rising cost of living.  All of which is compounded by the rising cost of food and gasoline.

In a time with all these challenges, our Summer of Hope campaign allows year ‘rounders, seasonal residents, and summer visitors a chance to help preserve the diversity of our Cape Cod communities and to help our residents stay in their homes and keep food on their tables.  LCOC offers financial assistance, manages nine food pantries, and Katy’s Korner, our free resource for clothing and home goods.  In 2021, we served over 2,000 families from Harwich to Provincetown.  Those services were valued over 1.7 million dollars.  We help get people back on their feet, keep them in their homes, give access to nutrition and lead them towards self-sufficiency.  This is made possible because donors like you care about preserving the integrity of our communities and supporting the people who are as integral to Cape Cod as the sun and the sea.

Additionally, as we gear up for Summer of Hope, we are also saying goodbye to our long time CEO, Larry Marsland.  Larry has led LCOC for the past 20 years and is leaving LCOC stronger than ever.  We are ready and able to continue to serve our clients as we always have, but also poised to explore new opportunities.  Please join me in wishing Larry well as he is on to his next adventure.

As the new CEO of LCOC, I am looking forward to getting to know all our loyal supporters who make our mission a reality.  You can watch our progress every week starting July 7^th through August 18^th.  We will be publishing a client story and list of Donors in the Provincetown Independent, here, on our webpage and our social media pages every Thursday.

As you kick off your Cape Cod summer, we hope you will consider making a contribution to our Summer of Hope campaign.  Make the sunshine a bit brighter for our residents who are struggling.

Sincerely,

Katherine Wibby, Esq.
Chief Executive Officer
Lower Cape Outreach Council