Giving Fund helps neighbors in need
To help those in need during this holiday season, Greenwich Time and the Stamford Advocate telling the stories of some of our neighbors who could use a helping hand.
We are inviting the public to offer assistance through the Giving Fund, because the holidays are, afterall, a time for giving.
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. Every dollar donated to the Giving Fund goes directly to the peoples in the stories, which will be published every Thursday and Sunday throughout the holiday season.
Bill Brucker, vice president of Greenwich-based Family Centers, said that even in a community that has great resources and local services available, there are still 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. The Stamford Advocate and Greenwich Time sponsor
The Giving Fund in partnership with Family Centers and Person-to-Person.
Here are the stories of 10 neighbors in need:
Case #305: Felicia is a 14-year-old girl who came to the U.S. just last year. Felicia’s father and aunt have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Life in Felicia’s house is stressful now, because her aunt is a single mother of two children. A gift of $500 would provide some stability for this family during a very uncertain time.
Case #306: DF is a 20year-old student at Connecticut College who was unable to pay her tuition due to the loss of income in the COVID-19 outbreak. She also has had difficulties buying groceries and paying for transportation due to lack of income. A gift of $500 would allow DF to pay her tuition and get her education back on track.
Case #307: KF is a 19year-old who came her from Central America in 2017. Against many odds, KF started at Norwalk Community College but has not been able to afford the full tuition. KF was working part time at a daycare center, but she was laid off due to the COVID-19 outbreak. KF lives with her mother, who also was laid off this past week due to the second wave of the coronavirus. KF is sad and anxious due to the family’s financial struggles. A gift of $500 would provide muchneeded stability.
Case #308: Mr. JG is a 34-years-old Hispanic man who works in construction, but his hours have decreased due to the second COVID-19 outbreak. As the main source of income for his family, Mr. JG is anxious about providing the basic needs. A gift of $500 would help JG support his family during these uncertain times.
Case #309: Ms. SE is a 77-year-old widow. She lives with her daughter, who has lost her job this past April due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Ms. SE is anxious and depressed due to the second COVID-19 outbreak. A gift of $500 would help SE purchase groceries for the next few months.
Case #310: Ms. MD is a 35 years old with two children ages 6 and 11 months. Ms. MD’s husband works in maintenance and cares for farm animals, but his hours have been reduced due in the second COVID-19 outbreak. Ms. MD is very worried about her family’s financial situation. A gift of $500 would provide some financial stability.
Case #311: EL is 12 years old, and his parents have been unemployed since the COVID-19 outbreak in April. With no income, EL’s family has fallen behind on their rent and are worried they’ll never catch up. A gift of $500 would help pay off some of the family’s back rent.
Case #312: MC is 45 years old, single and in great need of financial assistance due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Ms. MC was unemployed for nearly six months and is currently working 10 hours at a pizza place. Ms. MC’s immigration status does not allow her to be eligible for government financial assistance, and she needs help to pay her bills. A gift of $500 would be a huge help.
Case #313: Ms. MM, who is 58 and married, is the primary caretaker of her 95-year-old mother. Her family needs financial assistance after the loss of income due to COVID-19 outbreak. A gift of $500 would ease her financial strain.
CASE #314: SL is a single mother of young son who was diagnosed with autism. SL also has seen a history of domestic violence, experiencing emotional and physical abuse by her mother and ex-husband. SL lost her part-time job due to the COVID-19 outbreak in April, and is having issues with childcare and is unable to get a full-time job. SL is very worried about not having enough money to buy food for her family. A gift of $500 would go a long way to help with groceries.
All the Giving Fund cases will be listed online. To make a donation online, visit givingfund.isecuresites.com.