Pennies for Poverty:
Two Cents For Change
History:
Pennies started three years ago in early 2008 as an off shoot of the Poverty Program with the simple idea that a couple of pennies could change the world and end poverty. In October of 2008 Pennies became a 501C3 nonprofit run by a Board of Directors on an annual budget of under $2,000. To date, we have raised and given out over $30,000 in Grants to community organizations and individuals that have either new ideas to lift people out of poverty in Newburyport or to fund necessary but under funded programs.
Pennies has grown into something far beyond what was initially envisioned. Pennies is continually gaining momentum as people in the community learn more about Pennies and have that light bulb moment of, "I get it!," and "It's easy and doable!" The community is stepping up with ideas and fund-raisers for Pennies—putting in their 2 cents. People love the idea of how the simple acts of 2 cents, 2 cans, 2 hours, together really are and the combined efforts of the community can truly make significant inroads in ending poverty. Pennies is the community's nonprofit funded by the community, run by volunteers from the community for the purpose of ending poverty in our community.
Our first years have been a tremendous success and it is to the credit of the Board of Directors and the generous support and efforts from the community. I thank you all for your unending enthusiasm, hard work and diligence.
Catherine Yesair Gould, Founder and President