Annual Report

Highlights of FY 2025:

SCA experienced shifting needs and growth in many programs during FY 2025. Requests for services increased, especially among older adults and residents with disabilities, prompting more personalized and flexible responses. Our team helped residents access $265,310 of funding assistance through various programs. SCA spent $170,507 on financial assistance and direct support of town residents. Use of our food pantry grew for the second consecutive year, and youth programming expanded with new initiatives. Health and wellness services — including Medicare counseling, preventive screenings, and medical equipment loans — saw sharp increases. Volunteers played an even more critical role, not only delivering services like Meals on Wheels, but helping to identify urgent needs in the community. This year underscored the importance of adaptability, strong partnerships, and sustained outreach. We are grateful to our staff, volunteers, Board, and community partners. As Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Resident Supports

FY 2025, SCA continued to support seniors and individuals with disabilities, prompting expanded outreach efforts through in-person visits at home, in the community, and at our office. Staff also managed a 16% increase in providing comprehensive social service consultations, addressing needs ranging from housing and benefits to crisis intervention. These efforts reinforced SCA’s role as a trusted and compassionate resource in the community.

Health and Wellness Supports 

In FY 2025, SCA saw an increased demand for several health and wellness services. Most notably, Medicare counseling appointments rose by 31%, medical equipment loans by 25%, and participation in blood pressure screenings by 24%. Some areas, like Meals-on-Wheels (MOW) deliveries and Parkinson’s Peer Support saw declines in usage. Nevertheless, our support groups, preventive screenings, and emergency health partnerships remained essential pillars of support for the community.

Financial Supports

In FY 2025, SCA continued to grow many of our financial assistance programs. More residents accessed emergency housing, food, and utility aid, supported by the COVID-19/Crisis Relief Fund and United Way Rapid Response grants. Food pantry visits rose by 25%, and our meal subsidy and Farmers Market voucher programs also increased in popularity. Also notable in FY 2025 was a marked increase in rental assistance and emergency housing. Although Operation Fuel’s funding had declined, critical fuel aid was supported through SCA-administered funds, private donations and state aid. Spending on home repairs decreased, but we reached the same number of households as the previous year. Other highlights include ongoing pet food and garden vegetable distributions, a record number of holiday baskets, and steady use of our Quality of Life fund and Mini Pantry resources.

Children and Youth Support

In FY 2025, SCA expanded our youth programming with new initiatives and increased support across existing programs. We maintained our campership and childcare subsidies, launched a new sport and shoe distribution program, and awarded significantly more Meghan Voisine “Kindness Grants” to support youth-based projects. We maintained strong participation in our backpack distribution and offered five scholarships, each awarded to a graduating senior.