Help your neighbor in need this holiday season

Every Thursday and Sunday through the end of the year, the Stamford Advocate and Greenwich Time will publish short stories about local families and people in need of a helping hand. The names of those included have been changed to protect their privacy.

Each case will include an estimated dollar amount that would help them face everyday challenges like rent payments, child care costs and transportation. Every dollar donated to the Giving Fund goes directly to the clients in need.

The Stamford Advocate and Greenwich Time sponsors The Giving Fund in partnership with Family Centers and Person-to-Person.

Case #340

Kelli lives with her two siblings, grandfather and parents in a three-bedroom apartment. Kelli, who has no bed of her own, shares a double with her sister. She longs for privacy and space. A gift of $400 for a mattress and boxsprings would give her a bed of her own to stretch out in.

Case #341

Jeremy’s mom takes care of her two young sons, working as a housekeeper six days a week. She is tired when she gets home and often goes straight to her room to sleep, leaving her teenage sons to do a lot around the house, including cooking the meals. There is often not enough money by the end of the month for food. A gift of $500 would tide this family over with groceries when money gets tight.

Case #342

Caleb’s family has been living in a hotel for the past six months. His father’s disabilities make it impossible for him to work; his mother holds down a job to pay the family’s bills. They need money for the first and last month’s rent on an apartment but don’t make enough to save up for that. A gift of $800 would help get this family into their own home.

Case #343

Antonia is the oldest of five children. Her mother works at a fast-food chain to support the family and brings home dinner from the restaurant. These children rarely have fresh produce or home-cooked meals, because money is tight for healthy groceries. Antonia knows how to cook. A gift of $500 for groceries would help this family eat healthier during the holiday season.

Case #344

Rashel’s mother recently had a stroke and remains hospitalized for now. Rashel’s father is a deliveryman for a grocery store and works long hours to keep food on his family’s table. Rashel does the cooking, as well as housekeeping, for her family of four now that her mother is disabled. A gift of $500 for groceries would help this family in an extremely stressful time.

Case #345

Annie is a 19-year old taking a minimum number of classes at Norwalk Community College because she doesn’t have enough money to pay tuition for more than one class at a time. She receives some financial help from her dad, however, he is also struggling to make ends meet. Annie often feels defeated and thinks of quitting college because it will take her years to earn her degree at the rate of one or two classes. She very much wants to get a degree, which would increase her employment opportunities, and ultimately help with household expenses. A gift of $500 would help pay the tuition for an additional class.

Case #346

Erica is a 25-year-old mother to a 6-month-old little boy, who is growing up fast. Erica and her son, along with her mother, recently moved and are still settling in to their new apartment. However, this little boy is not putting his growth and development on hold. Erica’s son had been sleeping in a bassinet next to her bed in her old home, but this is no longer safe because he is pulling himself up and could easily fall. Erica is left with no safe place for her son to sleep. A gift of $350 would pay for a crib so this growing boy has a bed of his own in his new bedroom where is safe to sleep and play.

Case #347

The past few years have been difficult for Jessica. She is a single mother to two children and has worked hard to provide for them. Jessica has suffered from severe health issues in the past and was recently told that some of those concerns had returned. This will put a strain on the family, especially during the holiday season. A gift of $500 would help this family get through the holidays.

Case #348

Susan is a single, unemployed woman just a few years shy of retirement. She is also the primary caregiver for her ill brother. Since recently becoming unemployed, Susan has struggled to find a job and is falling behind on her bills. A gift of $300 would allow her to cover her basic needs for the upcoming month, so that she can focus on her job search.

Case #349

Tara is a single hardworking mother of two children who doesn’t receive child support. With her ex living in a nursing facility due to a terminal illness, she is managing to raise her children on her own. But Tara fears her car could be repossessed, because she is behind on her payments by three months. She relies on her car to go to and from work and to go to night school. She also needs the car to pick up her children at an after-school program. Tara would benefit from receiving $600 to catch up on her car payments.