Beacon wraps up another year of helping residents
As we approach a new year, Island residents face it with renewed hope for prosperity and peace of mind, but others will only face the same struggles and uncertainties as they have in the past.
There is a a glimmer on the horizon however, as the Beacon of HOPE continues to provide a helping hand and guiding light to those in need. While the Beacon was originally established to provide hurricane relief, as the island healed other wounds were exposed. Issues surfaced with regard to the island senior population and those who were living at or below the poverty level who were in need of assistance that went well beyond the scope of the hurricane. To address this, the Beacon staff and volunteers took their efforts in a new direction and continues to evolve as other needs arise.
While the Beacon can provide immediate relief with helping to pay bills and provide food, clothing and household needs, it also strives to seek long-term solutions for troubled individuals and families. Among the steps to a solution is the ACESS-program. Those in need are encouraged to visit the Beacon office at the island center where they will be assisted by volunteers to obtain such services at food stamps, Medicaid and cash assistance applications as well as filing for unemployment and job searching. From January through October of this year, Beacon assistance have helped nearly 800 individuals with the ACESS program and services.
In addition, the volunteers at Beacon are also certified to assist with other programs including, community service for FSET (Food Stamp Employment and Training) program through Workforce DCF (Department of Children and Families), community service for State of Florida Probation Department, community service for Lee County Probation Department, community service through WEP (Work Experience Program) and volunteers for the thrift store.
The Beacon also provides meal assistance through the Meals on Wheels program. Each week, six volunteers load up and deliver meals to 25 to 30 clients on the island three days a week. The meals are provided by Community Cooperative Ministries of Fort Myers.
In recent years, to help supplement funding of the Beacon, the Beacon Thrift Store opened its doors. As a result, the Thrift Store provides affordable clothing, appliances, household goods, furniture and other items to the public. The store is currently operated with the help of more than 30 volunteers.
With the donations received by local organizations and private individuals, the Beacon also has helped provide financial help to the community as well. Beacon dollars have been used to secure medical help for the elderly, assistance with obtaining prescription drugs, food cards, gas cards, rent assistance, property maintenance, mileage reimbursement, specialty needs, help with property taxes and utilities. The Beacon also helps to provide clothes to the homeless, clothes for children for school and power chairs for the disabled. When possible, the Beacon also provides in-kind gifts to other organizations. Benefiting from aid provided by the Beacon are the Red Cross, Salvation Army, the Lions Club, Our Mother’s Home, Gulf Coast Village Alzheimer’s area, cell phones for ACT, the Food Pantry and FISH.
Currently the Beacon is working to partner with the United Way and establish a United Way House on Pine Island. This facility would help direct funds that are donated to the United Way back to the island and once the United Way House is up and running, the Beacon will further ask for assistance from volunteers to help with a variety of programs.
The Beacon of HOPE is a non-profit organization and relies on funding from fund raising activities, sales from the Thrift Store, and gifts from the community and island organizations. In addition the Beacon staff is currently working on grant writing to secure additional funding to further provided services for island residents in need.
The Beacon Thrift Store and office is located at 5465 Pine Island Road, just east of the center and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Those in need of assistance are urged to visit the Beacon of HOPE or call 283-5123. Volunteers and contributions are also welcome and more information can be obtained by calling the Beacon.