Town of Hampton - Lane Memorial Library

- WELFARE DEPARTMENT -
The Hampton Welfare Department experienced a great deal of change this year. Primarily citizens
who needed assistance had to endure four staff changes including the Town Administrative Assistant
acting as the sole welfare officer for four months. In mid-September, Michelle Kingsley joined the
staff as a part-time Welfare Officer.
Michelle holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of New England and has worked
in social services for the past ten years. She was the former director of Information & Referral of
Greater Nashua and a staff therapist with Community Council in Nashua, New Hampshire. Michelle
continues to volunteer as the medical social worker for the Hampton Free Medical Clinic that has
served uninsured citizens for the past ten years. Michelle brings this experience to the Hampton
Welfare office to aid people who are experiencing financial difficulty to help them identify their
options and take the next step towards financial independence.
During the past year, the Town has assisted over 800 individuals. Over 400 people were assisted
financially. The welfare vouchers totaled $110,982 for 2006, with 80% of this money assisting
individuals and families facing eviction, foreclosure, or homelessness. The remaining half of the
people served either called or stopped by the Welfare office and were assisted with information and
support to access the myriad of services that are available in our community. Many of these people
were helped by the local churches including Hampton United Methodist Church, Trinity Episcopal
Church, First Congregational Church, First Baptist Church and the Salvation Army. Local charities
have also contributed to our citizens who are struggling to make ends meet, especially Hobbs House
and the many programs of Rockingham Community Action, which provides assistance with heating
bills, electric bills and weatherization. We thank them for their kindness and willingness to help
Hampton residents.
Everyone who seeks assistance from the Welfare Officer is offered food from the United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA) emergency food pantry. This pantry is stocked four to five times
a year with US government surplus can goods, dry goods, and frozen meats. This year the Town
participated for the first time in the Boy Scout food collection, and we thank them for over 400 nonperishable
items that increased our visitors’ choices and our ability to provide them with food. We
would also like to thank the mystery woman, known only as “Ann”, who brings us a variety of food
and non-food items including toothbrushes, toothpaste, and ready to heat food items that fly off the
shelves. Your special contribution is greatly appreciated.
Hampton residents are extremely grateful for the services made available to them through the Welfare
office during their time of need. Thank you to all the taxpayers for your contribution towards
preventing homelessness and hunger in your Town.
Respectfully submitted,
Michelle Kingsley, Welfare Officer
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