The Perfect Storm
We are still talking about the "perfect storm" that hit our area last week. The storm affected our clients in so many ways. Our clients and our food pantry had to discard food, many pantries were closed, and on top of that, many people won't have a paycheck this week or next because their place of business was closed.
Because of the storm, Gifts of Love is now facing an enormous challenge - and needs your help. People who rely on our programs do not have significant emergency supplies of food at home - and many lost what little food they did have due to power outages. For low-income families, the effects of this storm are devastating as they are now struggling just to sustain themselves. Our clients come to Gifts of Love because they are already struggling to make ends meet. For the working poor, if their place of business was closed this week, they will probably not have a paycheck next week, increasing their need further.
Thanks to you, this is when Gifts of Love really helps!
Gifts of Love is committed to assisting our clients who are struggling to make ends meet and will now have added pressure as we try to restock our refrigerators and freezers in order to help our neighbors restock theirs. We can't do it without your support.
Assisting a family during a tough time is truly at the heart of Gifts of Love, Families Helping Families. We are so thankful that you are part of our mission and part of our family. |
Night Out In Sytle - '70's Style!
to benefit Gifts of Love
Saturday, November 19, 2011
7:00 P.M.
Hoffman Honda Showroom
40 Albany Avenue (Route 44), Simsbury
Featuring Damon Scott, Master of Ceremonies
- Celebrity Chef Stations
- Dancing/Live Music
- Live & Silent Auctions
Dressing in Your Grooviest '70s Outfit Encouraged
Tickets: $75 per person
Click here to purchase tickets online
For more information/questions: 860.676.2323 or
email [email protected] |
Your Donations Truly Make A Difference
Finding enough money to pay for the increased demands on our agency is nearly impossible without your support. By helping clients meet their families' most basic needs - food on the table, a winter coat, or a bed to sleep in - we enable them to focus on putting their lives back in order and regaining their independence.
A gift of:
$500 enables us to provide home heating oilto a struggling family. A recent Boston City Hospital study concluded that during the colder months, cases of undernourished children increased by 30%. This is known as the "Heat or Eat" dilemma that many families face during the winter months.
$350 supplies a child receiving free lunch at school with a backpack full of food every Friday to ensure that they have
adequate food and nutrition over the weekend. When some students go home on Friday afternoons, they aren't just leaving behind their studies. Many of them leave behind the free meals provided at school and return after the weekend with empty stomachs. Your support allows us to help fill that void.
$100 enables us to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to our clients - some of whom are single parents with no child support. provide people with healthy alternatives, even in tough economic times and are working with the Community Farm of Simsbury to provide fresh produce.
$50 allows us to buy the equilivant of $500 worth of food at Foodshare - an organization that links surplus and donated food with programs that feed people. Foodshare works with food companies to secure donations of good food that would otherwise go to waste. We are able to pass this along to our clients in need. Many people have no other resources except Gifts of Love to help provide for their families. |
Virtual Gift Baskets and eCards
Looking for a holiday idea for friends, co-workers, clients and family? How about a donation to Gifts of Love! Instead of gifts, you or Gifts of Love can email your friends, co-workers or clients letting them know that instead of gifts, baskets or holiday cards, a donation was made to Gifts of Love on their behalf. What better way to spread the holiday spirit than by helping those who are struggling this holiday season
In many cases, in order to qualify for our program, someone in the household needs to be working. In addition to the working poor we are now seeing the newly poor - the households going from 2 incomes to one because of recent layoffs. This means an increase in need from those who never needed help before.
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"Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year but when you volunteer, you vote everyday about the kind of community you want to live in."
Author unknown
If you are interested in volunteering at Gifts of Love please contact Chris at [email protected]
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