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Welfare officer says 2024 town welfare budget near capacity; food pantry serving many Hollis residents
Summary
Welfare Officer Bethany Beck reported the 2024 welfare budget of $25,250 is nearly spent ($23,931 used, about 90% for rent), described an Amazon donation list and new drop-off sites, and said she will review and update the town's welfare application and guidelines.
Welfare Officer Bethany Beck told the Selectboard on Aug. 5 that she stepped into the role in January and read the town’s obligation under the first line of RSA 165. She said the town’s 2024 appropriated welfare budget is $25,250 and that $23,931 has been spent to date, with roughly 90% of that total going to rent assistance.
Beck said about one-third of the food pantry's clients are from neighboring Hollis and asked the town to seek additional support from Hollis; she also outlined an Amazon wish list for pantry donations and new drop-off locations at the Hollis Police Department and Hollis Art Space. Beck said she will work with the Town Administrator and the Health Officer to update the welfare application and to review the town's guidelines, last updated in 2017.
Selectboard members suggested outreach steps including posting donation information on the town website and promoting the Neighbors Helping Neighbors fund. No additional town appropriations were requested or approved at the meeting.
