Joy Ely, representing Northeast Kingdom Community Action (NEKCA), an anti-poverty agency located in the St. Johnsbury and Newport areas, was guest speaker during St. Johnsbury Rotary Club’s weekly meeting Feb. 3. She spoke of the many programs available to those in need, including the Parent Child Center outreach service; the food shelf; fuel and utility assistance; cooking classes; early literacy programs and support groups; assistance for adults to get their GEDs; Baby bags for new parents at NVRH; financial help, teaching how to budget; working with the schools, educating parents, and more. She spoke about Hunger Fest, a fundraiser for NEKCA’s food shelf which takes place in the fall. She also told of the many efforts to help the homeless, finding places for them to go to for shelter and food. For more information about NEKCA, go to nekcavt.org, or call the St. Johnsbury office, 802-748-6040, or the Newport office, 802-334-7316.
