The Giving Fund: Make a donation to help a struggling neighbor
As we celebrate the season of Hanukkah and Christmas in our community, it’s also a time that we think of those who are struggling to make ends meet.
The Giving Fund, now in its 38th year, provides residents with a way to help the clients at two local nonprofits, Greenwich-based Family Centers and Darien-based Personto-Person, in their missions to support families in need throughout lower Fairfield County.
On Sundays and Thursdays throughout the holiday season, The Stamford Advocate, Greenwich Time and The Darien Times are printing the stories of area residents who are finding it difficult to meet their basic daily needs.
The Giving Fund is unique in that it provides monetary gifts to individuals and families to meet basic needs — paying a utility bill, buying winter clothes or covering part of a rent payment, for example.
“Some people are still struggling to put food on the table, to meet the needs of every day life, to pay an unexpected bill,” said William Brucker, chief advancement officer at Family Centers. “And it has been exacerbated under the COVID pandemic. ... It can be just basic things — food, utility, rent. The pandemic has not made it any easier.”
What makes the Giving Fund unique, Brucker said, is that the donated funds go directly to help people in need in the community.
Last year’s drive raised a record-setting $113,000 in donations.
The stories
Each case in the Giving Fund includes an estimated dollar amount to help an individual or family tackle everyday challenges such as rent payments, utility bills, winter clothing, child care costs or transportation.
The names in the stories have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals.
Case 330: Jessie is a 26-year-old single mother who has always worked two jobs to support herself and her son. During the pandemic, Jessie lost one of her jobs and since then has been struggling to make ends meet. She is behind on some household bills. Financial assistance of $500 would help bring to date her utility bills and alleviate some of her worries during this holiday season.
Case 331: Mary is recently separated and is now the sole provider for her household of two school-age children. She lost her job during COVID-19 and recently started working again. Getting back to work has alleviated some of the financial burden, but many of Mary’s household bills continue to be past due. A total gift of $500 would help Mary and her two children during this holiday season.
Case 332: Carmen is a recently divorced single mother of one. During COVID-19, Carmen’s family faced many challenges, including untreated mental health issues that surfaced as a result of losing their household income. Carmen’s son now is suffering because of his parents’ divorce. Carmen is also struggling to pay rent and other utility bills. Aid of $500 would assist Carmen greatly during this holiday season.
Case 333: Jill’s husband died in an accident during COVID-19. Since then, she has been the sole provider for her household with three children and one grandson. Mental health issues came to surface within the family with the loss of Jill’s husband and father of her children. They also lost the financial assistance he provided to the family. Managing her grief while also supporting their children has been a huge load for Jill. A gift of $500 would assist Jill and alleviate some of the financial pressure she is under this holiday season.
Case 334: Deborah is a single mother of two young kids who works full time to sustain her family. But every month she struggles to make ends meet, which leads to feelings of sadness and anxiety. Her tiny apartment lacks some essential furniture. A gift of $400 would help Deborah to purchase a couch and a table to furnish the living room, so she and her family can relax and enjoy quality time together.
Case 335: Yamila and Carlos have two young children and a teenager who struggles with substance abuse. They recently became foster parents of their 3-month-old granddaughter, which left Yamila unable to work as she stays home to care for the baby. Although Carlos works two jobs, the family is struggling financially. A gift of $500 would help them buy winter clothes for their children and granddaughter.
Case 336: Elena is a single mother of four children. Although she is a hard-working mom, she is unable to work full time due to illness. Every month she finds herself struggling to cover expenses. The family recently moved and needs furniture. A gift of $500 would help Elena buy a new couch and other household items for her new apartment.
Case 337: Caroline is a single mom of two boys and a domestic violence survivor. She works full time, attends college and is the sole provider for her two sons, but she is having a hard time managing her busy schedule. Her eldest son is dealing with mental health problems, and often Caroline must take time off from work to take care of him, go to doctor’s appointments, and attend school meetings. A gift of $500 would help Caroline catch up with her bills.
Case 338: Alexander is a single father who cares for his 12-year-old daughter, a difficult task since losing his part-time job during the pandemic. Fortunately, Alexander still had his full-time job, but it is a daily struggle to keep up with his rent along with his other household expenses. He is facing eviction because he has not been able to pay his full rent for the past year. A gift of $500 would help Alexander pay half of the rent for next month.
Case 339: A part-time student, Ms. Williams is a full-time mother of two who also has a full-time job as a concierge. Ms. Williams feels overwhelmed and believes dropping out of school would lessen her financial burden. But when asked about her goals, Ms. Williams said, “My goal is to finish my college degree. I have one semester left, but I will always put my children first. My main desire is to always provide for my children.” A gift of $500 would help Ms. Williams pay for one class at Norwalk Community College.
All the Giving Fund cases will be listed online. To make a donation online, visit https://givingfund. isecuresites.com/.