COVID makes holidays tougher for families in need
As the coronavirus crisis moves into the holiday season, the Giving Fund was created to funnel donations from the community to some of the residents who are most in need.
Greenwich Time and the Stamford Advocate twice a week are telling the stories of our neighbors who could use a helping hand to spotlight those needs.
We are inviting the public to offer assistance through the Giving Fund, because the holidays are, after all, a time of generosity.
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 payments, child care costs and transportation during this difficult time. Every dollar donated to the Giving Fund goes directly to the people in the stories, which will be 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-to-Person, two area nonprofits.
Bill Brucker, vice president of Greenwich-based Family Centers, said that even in a community with great resources, there are many in Fairfield County who are down on their luck, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“What makes the Giving Fund unique is that it helps meet basic necessities that many of us take for granted for a number of people,” Brucker said. “This could be medication to stay in their health or could go toward a muchneeded car repair to someone who is constrained by income.”
The names have been changed to protect the participants’ privacy. Here are the stories of five neighbors in need:
CASE #315: Mr. OL worked full time as a chef at a local restaurant, but he was laid off in April due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Mr. OL was rehired but laid off again due to the second COVID-19 outbreak. His immigration status does not allow him to be eligible for government financial assistance. But he is in great need of financial aid to pay for food and his rent for December. A gift of $500 would be a big help during these uncertain times.
CASE #316: NA is the mother of three children who has experienced emotional and physical abuse by her father and ex-husband. She lost her full-time job due to the COVID-19
“What makes the Giving Fund unique is that it helps meet basic necessities that many of us take for granted for a number of people. This could be medication to stay in their health or could go toward a much-needed car repair to someone who is constrained by income.” Bill Brucker, vice president of Greenwich-based Family Centers
outbreak in April and has been unable to get fulltime work since then. Ms. NA’s immigration status does not allow her to be eligible for government financial assistance. A gift of $500 would allow her to purchase groceries and cover the rent during these tough times.
CASE #317: MM is a single mother of a 17-yearold son who has been diagnosed with autism and ADHD. She has a history of domestic violence, experiencing emotional and physical abuse by an exhusband. She lost her full-time job due to the COVID-19 outbreak. MM went to work at a parttime job but that also ended due to the second COVID-19 outbreak. Ms. MM is worried that she cannot pay her bills in the coming months. A gift of $500 would provide financial stability for her and her son.
CASE #318: AM is a teenager whose father died recently of terminal cancer. AM lost his two part-time jobs due to the COVID-19 outbreak. He feels depressed about the approaching holidays, as his family looks to celebrate without their father. He is also sad to see his mother working so hard to cover the family’s basic needs. A gift of $500 would help ease this family’s financial burden.
CASE #319: AR is a single woman living alone in Stamford. Earlier this year, she was diagnosed with COVID-19 and was hospitalized for several weeks. Due to her long recovery, AR is unable to work and has no income coming in. Her medical bills are mounting, and she does not know how she will make ends meet. A gift of $500 would provide much needed relief.
All the Giving Fund cases will be listed online. To make a donation online, visit givingfund.isecuresites.com.