With a reduced operating budget of roughly $480,000, The Family Van is hoping to regain solid financial footing to offer its original range of services and possibly more, Bennet says.
“We had been slowly been building up donor base, but we saw a drop in donors on a group and individual basis,” Bennet says.
While funding from the Medical School has remained constant, Bennet explains that several foundations had to temporarily limit grant awards or eliminated funding completely due to the economic downturn.
“It’s always tough to get general operating support,” Bennet says. “You have to get people to appreciate that we need those costs to get care to people.”
Ruby Hubbert, a Roxbury resident and a regular, stresses that she would be upset to see Family Van cut back on curbside visits.
“I love it. They give you birthday cards,” Hubbert says. “Don’t stop it—it’s nice to have.”
—Staff writer Barbara B. DePena can be reached at barbara.b.depena@college.harvard.edu.