WAIM Walk for Warmth to Follow Interfaith Service Sunday, Nov. 24

The Windham Area Interfaith Ministry (WAIM) Walk for Warmth, the annual trek around Willimantic that serves residents in need in 15 eastern Connecticut communities will take place on Sunday, Nov. 24. The event raises 85 percent of the funds WAIM uses to help families without resources pay for housing, electricity, heating fuel and other unmet needs.

This year’s walk immediately follows the community interfaith Thanksgiving service at the First Congregational Church in Willimantic. The service begins at 1:30 pm with the walk starting at approximately 2:15 p.m. from the church. Walkers may register online at https://www.runreg.com/waim-walk-for-warmth They may also register beginning at 12:30 p.m. on the grounds of the First Congregational Church. The walk raises funds through walker sponsorships as well as through donations by individuals and faith communities.

RISING NEED, RISING GOAL

This year’s event comes at a time of escalating need for energy and housing assistance. WAIM has already exhausted the $42,000 it received from last year’s walk, due to a record number of families seeking help. The result is that the organization has increased its fundraising target for this year’s walk to $50,000

Dramatic surges in rental expense were one reason for the higher goal. “We are seeing rent increases of as much as $400-$500 a month in some cases,” noted Merle Potchinsky, WAIM’s Human Services Manager and Partners in Independence Coordinator. “Income is not following this trend.”

At the same time, underfunded state energy assistance programs such as Operation Fuel and the CT Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) have struggled to keep up with demand, running out of money within weeks after funds are released. “WAIM helps fill the gap,” said Potchinsky, “which is why Walk for Warmth funding is so critical to our clientele.”

Findings from the ALICE Report, the United Way’s update on financial hardship in Connecticut, underscore the urgency of the need. ALICE is shorthand for Asset Limited Income Constrained and Employed--representing the growing number of single adults and families who earn less than the basic cost of living--below the ALICE Threshold. Despite struggling to make ends meet, these households often do not qualify for public assistance.

According to the report, approximately 40 percent of families in Windham and Tolland Counties, as well as those across Connecticut, had income below the ALICE Threshold in 2022, the latest year reported. From 2021 to 2022, the ALICE Household Survival Budget for a single adult in Connecticut increased from $33,120 to $34,812, well above the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) of $13,590. For a family of four with an infant and a preschooler, the survival budget (including tax credits) increased from $91,428 to $108,324, including childcare expenses.

WAYS TO GIVE TO WAIM

Participation in the Walk for Warmth is not required to contribute to WAIM’s work. Below are some other ways to donate:

*Give Online

Go online to www.waimct.org and follow the links for Walk for Warmth to make your contribution. Use the regular donor links and note that the donation is for “Walk for Warmth.”

*Contribute Material Goods

WAIM distributes donated clothing, furniture, appliances, and other household items to people in need in our community for free. Material goods may be dropped off Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the WAIM loading dock on Riverside Drive in Willimantic.

*Go Holiday Shopping

Seventy-five percent of the proceeds from the upcoming Storrs Congregational Church Holiday Bazaar will also go toward helping WAIM’s clients. The Bazaar will feature a variety of items suitable for holiday gift-giving. Shoppers will find holiday tag sale items, fresh holiday greens, plants, crafts, jewelry, quilted and fabric items, greeting cards, baked goods, and homemade soups. Also available will be handmade fair-trade gifts from SERRV International, a nonprofit that supports small-scale artisans and farmers from around the globe.

The Bazaar will take place Saturday, December 7 from 9 a.m. through 1 p.m. and Sunday, December 8, from 11 a.m. through 1:00 p.m. All are welcome.

ABOUT WAIM

The Windham Area Interfaith Ministry (WAIM) is an association of churches, synagogues, fellowships, and concerned citizens. It helps neighbors in need throughout Northeastern Connecticut with housing and energy assistance, case management, mentorship, clothing, and more. For additional information, visit waimct.org.

WAIM serves the communities of Andover, Ashford, Bolton, Chaplin, Columbia, Coventry, Hampton, Hebron, Lebanon, Mansfield, Storrs, Scotland, Willington, Windham, and Willimantic.