As many schools in our area have decided to close and grocery store shelves empty, some non profit organizations are in desperate need of donations.
Check the list below to see how you can help!
Filling In The Blanks
Filling in the Blanks is putting out a call for an emergency food drive, as schools close and they are faced with the need to distribute additional donated food items to children in their program.
The Norwalk-based non-profit provides food on the weekends to children in our area who qualify for the free or reduced lunch programs or are part of the Alice populations (working families that are right above the poverty line but still struggle to get by). Each child participating in the program receives a dietician approved bag of food that contains two breakfast items, two lunch items, four snacks, a veggie, two containers of milk and a fresh piece of fruit.
ITEMS NEEDED:
- Soup
- Mac and Cheese
- Cereal
- Oatmeal
- Pasta
- Canned Beans
- Canned Corn
- Pasta Sauce (no glass)
- Granola Bars
- Goldfish/Crackers
DROP OFF LOCATION:
Norwalk, CT
The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County
The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County is also struggling to keep food on the shelves. The food bank serves more than 90 agencies in lower Fairfield County.
To reach the Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County, call (203) 358-8898.
Neighbor to Neighbor
Click here to donate, they buy in bulk so every $1 donation = $2.50 of food!
8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Person-to-Person
There are a few different ways to help:
Financial Contributions: A gift of $100 would help provide a week’s worth of groceries to a family of four. Donate here.
Virtual Food Drive: Give Food on the Virtual Food Drive here.
Donate Food: Donations of shelf stable food such as hearty soup, cereal, peanut butter, jelly, and pasta sauce will help families prepare for longer-term impact. With school closures in our area, too many children will not being receiving school-based meal programs. Help families ensure that children continue to learn and thrive. Food donations can be brought to the Darien or Norwalk food pantries. See a list of the most needed food items here. Call (203) 655-0048 for more information.
Gift Cards: Gift cards to area grocery stores in any denomination can be delivered to the Darien or Norwalk locations.
Clothing: Out of an abundance of caution, we have temporarily stopped accepting clothing donations until further notice and our clothing center is temporarily closed. We would be so grateful if you could hold on to any donations until we can safely reopen and restock the clothing center.
Tiny Miracles
Available for virtual mentoring for any parents of preemies in need of emotional support at this time.
Make a financial donation here!
DARIEN HUMAN SERVICES
Darien Human Services would like to reassure town residents that our essential services will continue to be available during the current health crisis.
Residents in need should contact the department at 203-656-7328 or email Ali Ramsteck, Director, at [email protected], to schedule an appointment prior to coming to Town Hall. There are available for appointments Monday through Friday, 8:30 – 4:30.
All families with children currently receiving Free or Reduced Lunch through the Darien Public Schools will be eligible for a grocery store gift card through the Human Services Department, please call 203-656-7328 for more information.
There has been some interest in donations to help financially struggling families in Darien. We welcome gift cards to grocery stores (Stop and Shop, Palmers, Trader Joes, Whole Foods, ShopRite, etc). Monetary donations are always appreciated as well. Our office is located in Town Hall, 2 Renshaw Rd, Room 109.
If find your family needs assistance, don’t hesitate to call Human Services.