Samaritan Charitable Society of Salem

Samaritan Charitable Society of Salem

Samaritan Charitable Society of Salem | Salem, MA

About Samaritan Charitable Society of Salem

The Samaritan Charitable Society of Salem is one of the city’s oldest charitable organizations, providing one-time emergency financial assistance to Salem residents facing unexpected hardship since 1832. A small, entirely volunteer-led group of fewer than 20 people, the Samaritans work quietly but effectively — partnering with dozens of local service organizations to reach neighbors in crisis and deliver help fast. Furthermore, the organization’s ability to respond within 48 hours and fund needs that fall outside typical guidelines makes it a uniquely powerful resource in Salem’s safety net.

Our Experience

Nearly two centuries of service have given the Samaritan Charitable Society of Salem a deep understanding of how quickly financial stability can unravel. A medical emergency, a job loss, a car breakdown — any one of these can trigger a domino effect that leads to missed rent, utility shutoffs, and the threat of eviction. Additionally, the organization holds a Candid Gold rating, reflecting its commitment to transparency and accountability in everything it does.

Core Offerings

• One-time emergency financial assistance for Salem residents in crisis
• Rapid response — grants delivered within 48 hours
• Funding for needs outside typical partner guidelines
• Assistance with rent, utilities, appliances, and essential goods
• Support for transportation, work-related, and school-related needs
• Referrals and requests handled through a trusted network of partner organizations
• No religious affiliation and no overhead — all donations go directly to recipients

How the Samaritan Charitable Society of Salem Works

Requests for assistance come through the organization’s network of partner social service organizations — not directly from individuals. Partners identify residents in need and bring those requests to the Samaritans, who evaluate and fulfill them quickly. Moreover, because the organization has no restrictive funding guidelines, it can say yes to needs that other organizations simply cannot cover.

What the Samaritans Fund

Grants are generally under $1,000 and are as varied as the people who need them. Recent examples include:

• Rent assistance to prevent eviction
• Refrigerators and mattresses for residents moving into subsidized housing
• A bicycle for a young man aging out of foster care who needed transportation to work
• Salem Skipper vouchers for food pantry clients without transportation
• Overdue utility bills for families dealing with illness or job loss
• Laundry cards so children can go to school in clean clothes
• Soccer equipment for children newly arrived in the United States

Partner Network

The Samaritan Charitable Society of Salem works with an extensive network of partner organizations across Salem, including Action Inc., AgeSpan, Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salem, HAWC, Harborlight Community Partners, Plummer Youth Promise, Salem Housing Authority, Salem Public Schools, Salem State University, the Salem YMCA, and many more. Consequently, the organization is able to reach deeply into Salem’s most underserved communities through trusted, established relationships.

What Makes the Samaritan Charitable Society of Salem Special

Few organizations in Salem can move as quickly, fund as flexibly, or respond as personally as the Samaritans. There is no office, no overhead, and no bureaucracy — just a small, dedicated group of volunteers who believe that a little help at the right moment can change the trajectory of someone’s life. In addition, nearly 200 years of community trust means partners know they can count on the Samaritans when it matters most.

Contact

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 8644, Salem, MA 01970
Email: info@thesamaritansociety.org
Website: thesamaritansociety.org
Facebook: Samaritan Charitable Society of Salem

Since 1832, the Samaritan Charitable Society of Salem has believed that a helping hand — even a small one — can stop a crisis in its tracks and help a neighbor find their way back.