Giving Fund assists residents during these tough pandemic times
Readers are invited to answer the call for help
Times are tough due to the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, leaving some residents unable to cover the costs of basic necessities.
But generous members of the community can make a difference by making a donation to the Giving Fund campaign this holiday season.
The Greenwich Time and the Stamford Advocate are providing readers with the opportunity to help their neighbors in need through the Giving Fund.
Each case in the Giving Fund includes an estimated dollar amount that would help a local person or family tackle everyday challenges such as rent, child care and transportation during this difficult time. Every dollar donated to the Giving Fund goes directly to the people in the stories, which are published every Thursday and Sunday throughout the holiday season.
The Stamford Advocate and Greenwich Time sponsor The Giving Fund in partnership with Family Centers and Person-toPerson, two area nonprofits.
Now is the time to make a donation, because an anonymous local donor has made a pledge to match dollar-for-dollar every donation made to the Giving Fund, up to $30,000 through Christmas Day.
The names have been changed to protect the participants’ privacy. Here are the stories of 10 neighbors in need:
Case #340: Billy, who lives with his single mother and younger brother, worked at a local restaurant and provided his family’s main source of income. But due to COVID-19, Billy was laid off. The family is now struggling to afford food and cover basic necessities. A gift of $500 would help to stabilize Billy’s family until he can find a new job.
Case #341: Janey is a 60-year-old single woman who lives alone with her dog. She lost her roommate before the virus hit and is now carrying more rent than she can afford. Although Janey works as an administrative assistant, she lost all of her overtime hours and pay, which she depended on to meet her basic needs. A gift of $500 would help Janey pay her bills and offer some relief.
Case #342: “Jane Doe” is a 70-year-old woman who lives alone with her cat. Due TO COVID-19, she lost her entire income as a dog walker. She mostly gets her food from food banks. She has been unable to replace the muffler on her car and has no idea whether she can cover her insurance payments. These stressers have intensified her lifelong battle with PTSD and severe depression. With a gift of $500, she would find relief and pay for car repairs.
Case #343: Ana is a single teen mom-to-be who is living with her mother and two younger siblings. Ana has been trying to find a job but due to her pregnancy, school hours and COVID-19 outbreak she has not had any luck. Ana is worried that if her mother losses her job, they will not have an income with a newborn on the way. With a gift of $500, Ana would be able purchase a crib and cover some of the rent.
Case #344: Nicole, a first-time mother who gave birth during the pandemic, conceived her baby through IVF, which cost her nearly all her savings. Nicole’s dream of having a baby was achieved after eight years of trying. During this time, their only income was from her husband’s job. She has started to slowly return to work but still worries about being able to afford their life essentials. A gift of $400 would help Nicole and her family cover their food cost and some utility bills.
Case #345: Julia is a single mother of two who has lost her job as a housekeeper due to COVID-19. She gave birth to her second daughter during the pandemic. Julia fears becoming ill because someone she knows died from the coronavirus. Julia and her family depend on her small savings and the little income she earns from working. A gift of $500 would help Julia cover some of her family’s utility and food bills and/or the rent.
Case #346: Samantha, a mother of three, is unemployed and struggling to find work. She has a 3-yearold with speech delays who requires more of her help. Her husband works at an estate and had been infected with COVID-19. The family has struggled financially, forcing them to use their small savings to get by before he could return to work. A gift of $300 would allow them to cover a portion of their rent.
Case #347: Abby is a young single mother who lives with her mother and son. Abby graduated this year from college, but due to COVID19, she did not realize her dream of walking on stage to get her diploma. She has not been able to secure a job because of the pandemic. A gift of $275 would help cover day-care costs and help her with utility expenses until she finds a job.
Case #348: Lorena is a single mother who lives with her younger sister, mother and grandmother. Lorena had a baby at the start of the pandemic. She is a strong, resilient mother but her only income is from her part-time job, which has cut her hours during COVID-19. A gift of $500 would help Lorena pay for baby food, diapers and a portion of her rent.
Case #349: Diana moved from New York right when the pandemic hit, and her husband lost his job at a high-end restaurant in Manhattan. They used all
their savings to cover the rent until her husband found a job in landscaping. Diana gave birth to her second baby girl in the middle of the pandemic. Now they are worried that with winter coming, he will not
have as much work. A gift of $500 would help this family pay for food and rent.
All the Giving Fund cases will be listed online. To make a donation online, visit givingfund .isecuresites.com.