(adapted from Housing Assistance Corporation’s website)
Over the past 25 years, Housing Assistance Corporation’s Project Prevention has worked to prevent homelessness through one-time emergency funds that go to pay utility bills, rent or mortgage arrears for individuals and families on Cape Cod and the Islands.
“A relatively small amount of money can resolve a really big problem,” said HAC’s Information and Client Services Manager Liz Belcher who assists individuals at risk of becoming homeless. Monica Mitchell, HAC’s family services supervisor, assists families at risk of becoming homeless.
Both the Barnstable Interfaith Council (BIC) and The Dennis-Yarmouth Ecumenical Council for the Prevention of Homelessness (DYECH) raise funds for HAC’s homeless prevention services through the sale of gift certificates to local supermarkets and restaurants that are sold at face value to the public. Because the faith-based groups purchase those certificates in bulk, they receive a discount, allowing five percent of each purchase to go towards homelessness prevention efforts.
BIC cards, as they are called, are available in varying denominations for purchase every Sunday after South Congregational Church’s ten o’clock worship service with either cash or a check. They can also be purchased throughout the week by arrangement with the church secretary.
BIC cards can be used for their full face value (e.g. $50 card = $50 in purchase power) in stores such as Lambert’s, Shaw’s/Star Market, Stop & Shop, Ring Brothers, Peterson’s Market & Fancy’s in Osterville, Roche Brothers, Cape Cod Natural Foods, Whole Foods, Country Garden, CVS, Rite-Aid, Dunkin’ Donuts, and restaurants such as 99 Restaurant and Pub, Yarmouth House, Red Face Jacks, Tap City Grill and DiParma Italian Table.