MARBLEHEAD — By now, the words “COVID-19,” “coronavirus,” and “pandemic” roll off of everyone’s tongues. The words are seared into our consciousness, and so are the results.
While there isn’t much anyone can do about the virus except to wait for it to finally end, there is something people can do to help those who have been affected by it.
And that’s where “Making Ends Meet,” of Marblehead, comes in.
“We help people in town who are going through difficult times,” said Diane Vigneron, president of the group. “They could be having financial issues or health issues.”
There’s been a lot more of that during the pandemic, and the virus — and its ramifications — have not discriminated in how it has affected people. Even a place such as Marblehead, which, as they will attest, is not immune.
“Not everybody has family support here,” said Jackie Polimeni, a past president. “It’s those people who don’t have a safety net … don’t have a mother or father or uncle or aunt that they can turn to. Very often, they’re single, and there are a lot of single women who are raising children. They find themselves in situations where they could be evicted. They can’t afford to pay rent, or heating bills.”
Vigneron stresses that the organization doesn’t give its grants to just anyone. For example, if there’s a credit card debt that’s running into five figures, it might shy away.
“We try to help people who are pretty much trying to stay on top of paying bills, but they’ve run into difficult times,” she said. “Maybe they’re out of work due to medical reasons, or maybe they’ve lost jobs due to COVID. But they’re making an effort.
“What we want to do is help people bridge the gap. It’s not a Band-Aid,” she said. “This is something that may help them for a couple of months until they can get situated.”
Said Emily Osgood, the group’s treasurer, those who need to reach out for help should contact Teri McDonough at the Marblehead Counseling Center. Those wishing to contribute to “Making Ends Meet” can do so via PayPal on the group’s website: makingendsmeetmarblehead.org.
Steve Krause can be reached at [email protected].
