Today, there are 75 Rye families living at or below the poverty line. That number is up from 60 families in 2022, and 51 families in 2021. Children’s Philanthropy of Rye (CP), part of the Woman’s Club of Rye (WCR), is the only local organization dedicated to helping families in need who have students attending Rye City schools.
The group’s inaugural Mahjong for a Cause! event, held on Wednesday, April 10th, pulled in 50 attendees and raised $15,000 to help local families in need. Qualifying families are identified by the social workers and principals within the Rye City School District, and the families are kept anonymous even to CP leadership and volunteers.
The funds raised go towards grocery store gift cards during winter and spring school breaks (since government funded school lunch programs are clearly not available during these period) and holiday gifts (often essential items). CP also has a partnership with Rye Recreation where these and other qualifying families can apply for scholarships for summer camp. Other programs include a scholarship for one Rye High School senior each year and a long standing partnership (since inception) with Rye Recreation to underwrite part of the cost of the Halloween window painting each year to keep costs down for all participating families.
“It’s really exciting to see the momentum,” said Molly Pacala of CP, referring to the group’s fresh fundraising efforts. She describes “the sort of look on everyone’s face when they learn that there are that many [local Rye] families in need and that we’re the only local organization supporting them. Their jaw really drops.”
The group typically raised around $17,000 annually prior to COVID. Now on the otherwise of the pandemic, and with the momentum of its spring fundraising effort, the group is excited to expand its efforts to support those families in Rye living at are below the poverty level.
