Charlotte Stuart, a volunteer with Martha's Vineyard, stands in front of candy at the annual Candy Sale

Connectivity for Hope provides Internet and Telephone to Local Food Pantry

PADUCAH KY - It is this time of year that operations start to gear up at Martha's Vineyard in Paducah, Kentucky. Delivering warm meals is one of their core missions, with a full kitchen and staff designed to serve.

In preparation for their annual thanksgiving dinner, Martha's Vineyard is selling candy that was recently donated by a local business. Martha's Vineyard operates on donations and the work of dedicated volunteers, and sometimes making ends meet can be challenging.

The utility costs for operating the vineyard can approach near a thousand dollars a month. A large kitchen, freezers, and refrigeration are not inexpensive. Another cost we saw was telephone and Internet. Martha's Vineyard was paying over $300/month for telephone and Internet, but through Quad State Internet's Connectivity for Hope program, that number is now zero.

"Every dollar not spent on utilities is a dollar that goes to a warm meal" - Preston Ursini with Quad State Internet remarked. "If we're able to help in just one small way, that means they can keep their doors open and focus on their mission rather than their phone bill." he clarified.

With thanksgiving around the corner, Martha's Vineyard is hoping for a large turnout in his pre-halloween candy sale. The proceeds from this will go towards the massive meal they are planning for the community.

The dining room of Martha's Vineyard used to be a truck bay for fire engines. The facility was bought by Martha herself years ago and was converted into what is now home to a vibrant, and robust charity that feeds those most in need.

For information on Martha's Vineyard and the programs they offer, and for volunteer opportunities, they can be found on Facebook or reached by telephone at (270) 575-0021.