Agency Prepares to Meet Unprecedented Demand for Food and Emergency Financial Assistance
ORLEANS, MA (October 30, 2025) – The Lower Cape Outreach Council announced today the launch of its annual Gifts of Hope Campaign to fund the agency’s operations of nine food pantries on the Lower and Outer Cape, special holiday programs, and emergency financial assistance for individuals and families in need.
This year’s campaign comes at a pivotal moment where demand for food assistance continues to climb while trusted programs like SNAP and WIC face ongoing threats. About sixty percent of Massachusetts SNAP recipients are from households with children, while roughly ten percent are seniors aged sixty and older and without government intervention these benefits will not be available in just two days.
Currently, one in three Cape Codders are food insecure. Food insecurity is closely linked to the high cost of living in the region, driven by housing, utilities, and transportation expenses, along with rising medical insurance premiums expected to spike in 2026. All this comes as LCOC is preparing for its largest food program of the year, providing Thanksgiving meals for more than 800 households across the Lower and Outer Cape.
“The problem of hunger has been accelerated by recent federal policy changes and program reductions,” according to Katie Wibby, CEO of the Lower Cape Outreach Council. “Our community has consistently shown its strength, but this year feels particularly different and stressful, as many struggle to meet their basic needs. In the past year alone, we have assisted nearly 2,500 households by providing nutritious food, emergency financial aid, and clothing. The amount of food distributed by our nine food pantries has risen by more than 25% this year alone. Unfortunately, the effects of cuts to food assistance programs are anticipated to drive demand even higher and negatively impact the health and well-being of children, their parents, young adults, and seniors,” added Wibby.
“Our newly expanded Main Food Pantry in Orleans opens in two weeks, tripling our capacity to serve the community. We are committed to meeting the increasing demand, but we urgently need help,” stated Jim Kivlehan, President of the Lower Cape Outreach Council Board of Directors. “We are asking those in the community who can support our work to give as generously as possible. Their investments will have a profound impact on our community’s short-and long-term futures.”
The LCOC Gifts of Hope Campaign traditionally attracts nearly a third of the nonprofit’s annual budget, but this year the need is greater due to the discontinuation of governmental assistance programs and. LCOC Gifts of Hope donations can be made online at lcoutreach.org or by mail payable to LCOC, PO Box 2013, Orleans, MA 02653
More About the Lower Cape Outreach Council, Inc.
From its humble roots of organizing assistance out of the homes of volunteer founders, the Lower Cape Outreach Council is today an essential part of the community, providing comprehensive assistance to nearly 5,000 Lower and Outer Cape residents in need of immediate support while encouraging long-term sufficiency. Incorporated in 1984, LCOC offers a holistic approach to client care, ensuring that participating individuals have their basic needs met. The nonprofit operates nine emergency food pantries—one in each town on the Lower Cape, including two in Orleans; a financial assistance program; Katy’s Korner, a free clothing and home goods center; and other seasonal programs. All services are available free of charge to any resident of the Lower and Outer Cape who identifies a need. For more information, visit lcoutreach.org.