A Friend in Need (AFIN) is a small, all-volunteer organization that provides one-time financial assistance to people in need in Acton, Boxborough, and Maynard. May and June have been especially busy, with more requests for assistance than usual.
Some examples of how AFIN has recently helped families include:
- An individual who had been out of work but had found a new job was having difficulty catching up on bills that had gone unpaid during unemployment. AFIN paid the electric bill to prevent the power from being shut off.
- An individual who had been unable to work while a child was hospitalized needed rental assistance despite working two part-time jobs. AFIN contributed to the rent.
- Another person needed help with utility bills. Although they had previously been able to cover them, rising costs of goods and living expenses had made it impossible. AFIN paid the electric bill.
- After undergoing surgery and dealing with additional health complications, another individual had fallen behind on rent. AFIN was able to catch up on the rent payments.
Usually, there is a one-time limit on assistance for any family, but due to the economy, AFIN is trying to be a bit more flexible. Their mission is to provide immediate help until the family can receive more substantial aid from other agencies.
Much of their funding comes from pleas published in our local newspapers and from generous community residents, and they can usually provide between $300 and $600 to a needy family, depending on available resources. AFIN receives all requests from Social Service agencies, clergy, or counselors via email.
Wendy Trinks, the Boxborough Community Services Coordinator, noted that “AFIN has been tremendously helpful when my clients needed emergency assistance and I had exhausted other avenues of funding. They are a wonderful partner and provide amazing support to the community.”
One recipient of an AFIN grant said, “Thank you for making the opportunity possible by helping to ‘bridge the gap’. I look forward to giving back in the not-too-distant future.”
AFIN was started in the early 90s by Gladys Foreman, a member of South Acton Congregational Church (SACC). She was joined by Charlene Twente about 1996. They ran it together for a number of years as an activity of SACC until the church closed at the end of 2024. AFIN was then taken under the wing of the AB Community Compass. Except for sharing their 501(c)(3) status, AFIN is a separate entity that has a 7-member board.
Their volunteers cover postage and other costs, so they can give away 100% of the money they receive.
AFIN will consider helping anyone recommended by clergy or social service professionals affiliated with a local agency. Anyone in urgent need can be considered for financial assistance by contacting a member of the clergy or a social service representative and asking them to contact A Friend in Need on their behalf.
A Friend in Need does not discriminate and will try to help anyone with a genuine need. All donations, no matter how small, can make a real difference.
If you would like to make a donation, please send your check to A Friend in Need, P.O. Box 2258, Acton, MA 01720, or donate online at abccompass.org/a-friend-in-need. Currently, donations to AFIN are not tax-deductible.
Anne McNeece is a long time AFIN supporter and current Board member.
