Pennies for Poverty: 2 Cents 4 Change, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to reduce poverty and alleviate its devastating impact on people in the Greater Newburyport Area.

At Pennies, we raise money to address urgent needs and support under-funded programs at local anti-poverty agencies. We also:

• Present a monthly speaker series, to educate the community about poverty in the Greater Newburyport area.
• Promote volunteerism and organize food drives to help stock the shelves at local food pantries.
• Improve the quality of food given to those in need by providing agencies with gift cards to local farms and fish stores.
• Support the local economy by using money collected at store registers to buy gift cards for local anti-poverty agencies at those businesses.

Although we have made great strides in our efforts to raise awareness and financial support for those in the Greater Newburyport Area who are struggling with poverty, there is still much to be done. The United States Census Bureau's American Community Survey found that over 16% of people in the Greater Newburyport Area, about 9500 of our neighbors, lived in poverty from 2008-2012. We all have a role in making our community stronger. Learn more at www.penniesforpoverty.org.