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Cape Cod Times Neighbors Fund kicks off summer appeal. Here's how you can help others
It's that time of year again: beach days, barbecues, fireworks and summer vacation plans. As the busy summer season gets under way, it's also a great time to think about giving a little assistance to your neighbors in the Cape Cod and Islands community.
The Cape Cod Times Neighbors Fund 2025 Summer Appeal kicks off today with a goal of raising $225,000 by Aug. 25 to keep neighbors housed, working, and cared for through crisis.
Cape Cod's housing crisis is playing a central role in the calls for help this summer. Cape Cod Times Neighbors Fund Executive Director Susan Johnson said the call volume from those needing assistance is 16% higher over the same period from last year.
'Housing assistance remains the number one service requested, followed by utilities, transportation, food insecurity, and child care. As Cape Cod gears up for another busy summer, the rising cost of living is pushing more year-round residents to the brink,' Johnson said.
The region's cost-of-living index is now at 131.5 — driven largely by housing costs nearly 93% above the national average — even full-time workers are struggling to stay afloat, she said.
According to the Cape and Islands Association of Realtors, median home prices have surged past $745,000, making stable housing unreachable for many service workers and families, Johnson added.
"I feel incredibly lucky to have grown up here and now to serve a community that shows up for each other in times of need. Even with all the challenges our neighbors are facing, I know we can make a difference — I've seen it happen,' said Johnson. 'With the continued generosity of both our year-round and seasonal community, we can give local families the support they need to stay secure and stable here on the Cape and Islands — whether that need comes next week, next month, or in the middle of winter."
The Neighbor's Fund, founded in 1936 as the Needy Fund, is here to help our community fill those financial gaps through the continued generosity of neighbors helping neighbors.
People in need submit their requests for assistance to the Neighbors Fund and in turn the Neighbors Fund pays for the goods or services — a medical bill, for example — through a voucher system. No cash is given to Neighbors Fund fundraising drive includes a summer campaign and a holiday campaign. Generally, 90% of what is raised is spent on programming and 10% on administrative expenses, Johnson said.
To raise awareness about the summer appeal, the Cape Cod Times will feature a story each Wednesday and Sunday, which will be accompanied by a list of people who donated to the fund through August 25.
Donations, which are tax-deductible, may be made online at Checks can be made payable to: The Cape Cod Times Neighbors Fund P.O. Box 36 Hyannis, MA 02601
Donate to the Neighbors Fund
Those needing assistance may contact the the Neighbors Fund at 508-778-5661 or can be emailed to info@ The Neighbors Fund is also on Facebook ( and X (@Neighborsfund). Visit the site at
This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Neighbors Fund summer appeal: How to help the Cape Cod community
