How’s this for a problem a charity is fortunate to have? Person-to-Person received so many clothing donations, household items, toys and other items this past holiday season that it’s holding off on accepting any more for now, the 48-year-old organization announced.
The organization, founded in 1968 to provide low-income people in Lower Fairfield County with basic emergency services, is “conducting a comprehensive inventory in the Darien Clothing Center,” the announcement said, “so we that we can catch up.”
Donations will be accepted again by P2P as of Monday, Jan. 23.
The problem stems from “the generosity of so many in the community,” according to the Monday announcement. “We appreciate your understanding and look forward to receiving your donations at that time.”
Person-to-Person describes itself as
“committed to helping clients achieve self-sufficiency through practical help, advocacy, education and problem solving initiatives. Programs include Emergency Assistance, Campership and Scholarship. With offices in Darien and Norwalk, the Person-to-Person service area includes Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford, Weston, Westport and Wilton.”
Other Recent Person-to-Person News
Two recent news releases from Person-to-Person:
MBIA Donates $20,000
When responding to the needs of the communities in which it conducts business and its employees live and work, the MBIA Foundation strives to maximize the impact of its grant dollars.
This year, MBIA shifted its funding to support programs that will have a lasting impact on the lives of those struggling to meet basic needs. As a result, Person-to-Person was awarded a $20,000 grant, which will fund four years of college for a Mentoring4Success Scholar.
P2P Executive Director Ceci Maher points out that many of the agency’s programs not only address immediate need but also endeavor to provide long-term solutions and future opportunity.
“From budget counseling to job training, P2P is dedicated to supporting a client’s journey toward self-sufficiency,”Maher said. “The P2P Scholarship Program helps college students from low-income households realize that goal by bridging the gap between what each can earn and save and the amount needed to attend college.”
The Mentoring4Success Scholarship is granted to incoming first-year students who work collaboratively with individual mentors throughout their four years, thereby maximizing the opportunities offered by a higher education. With 80 percent of the P2P Scholars graduating college overall, this particular scholarship has a 100 percent graduation rate.
“This grant from the MBIA Foundation grant is greatly appreciated,” Maher says. “It will give one student the opportunity to pursue a college education and, by offering a pathway out of poverty, will help transform that student’s life.”
Campbell Soup/Pepperidge Farm Donates Money, Employees Give Time
Through an ongoing partnership with Norwalk-based Pepperidge Farm, a subsidiary of the Campbell Soup Company, Person-to-Person clients have benefited in many ways from the volunteer service of its employees — including the day of service in early May when 200 employees sorted and stocked more than 59,000 pounds of food donated by Norwalk and Wilton postal customers during the National Association of Letter Carriers’ Food Drive and the $10,000 “Dollars for Doers” grant based on this volunteer service.
Campbell Soup Foundation created the “Dollars for Doers” Program to provide contributions to nonprofit organizations with which employees are actively involved as volunteers. The grant serves as a “thank you” to P2P and the employee volunteers for making a difference in their community.