FEASST, the Family Emergency Assistance of Southern Saratoga County, and FEASST North are partnerships between community organizations and faith-based organizations that assist with funding for housing, rent, power bills, and the costs of heating with wood. Melinda Osborne, CAPTAIN Family Assistance Program Associate, who coordinates both FEASST and FEASST North, shares, “the partnership is incredibly inspiring due to the dedication and collaboration between the community and faith-based organizations working with the individuals in need.”
“The partnership is incredibly inspiring due to the dedication and collaboration between the community and faith-based organizations.”
FEASST was founded by CAPTAIN Community Human Services and several Clifton Park area faith-based organizations to provide services to families and individuals living in Southern Saratoga County. With the help of seed funding from the local Habitat for Humanity, the FEASST program has expanded, and FEASST North now encompasses the northern area of Saratoga County, including the City of Saratoga Springs.
In the past, individuals needing assistance would have to go to multiple community or faith-based organizations to seek help because often there were not enough funds available at any one organization to meet the individual’s need. Not only was this difficult for the individuals seeking help, but none of the organizations knew if the problem had ever been solved. “Now,” Melinda explains, “individuals needing assistance no longer have to ask for help at multiple agencies but rather can request assistance from just one agency and can receive help from multiple agencies working together through FEASST and FEASST North.”
Through the FEASST programs, individuals and families in need of assistance are referred to the CAPTAIN Family Assistance Program. The applicants’ needs are assessed, and they are referred to other services such as Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) and the Solutions to End Homelessness Program (STEHP). The Family Assistance Program associates ensure that individuals receive the maximum benefits from these programs. Then, once all these options have been exhausted, the applicant’s request for assistance are sent to the FEASST partners. The FEASST Partners, utilizing a common spreadsheet, each pledge available funds and send checks directly to the applicant’s landlord or utility company.
The collaboration has been successful in meeting individuals and families’ needs.
When necessary, the Family Assistance Program associates advocate with landlords to prevent eviction, while funds are gathered to assist with rent. Additionally, if the individual or family has other needs, such as food or medical insurance, they are referred to food pantries, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or Medicaid navigators.
FEASST and FEASST North are unique in their collaboration of both community and faith-based organizations. This collaboration has been successful in meeting individuals and families’ needs. In 2018, FEASST served 133 households, and in 2019, FEASST served 103 households. “No one church or organization could have done this alone,” Melinda shares, “it was the collaboration that made it successful.” With the expansion into northern Saratoga County and the creation of FEASST North, comprised of 15 faith-based and community originations, these numbers have the potential to be doubled.
RISE Housing and Support Services is proud to be a member of FEASST North which serves all of Northern Saratoga County, except for the Ballston Spa Area, which is served by the Ballston Area Clergy Association. RISE looks forward to doing our part to prevent homelessness through FEASST North!