P2P Receives Support From New Canaan Community Foundation

Person-to-Person (P2P) is pleased to announce the New Canaan Community Foundation (NCCF) has awarded it generous grant funding, totaling $50,000, from the Foundation’s new COVID-19 Response Fund.

The funds will support P2P’s response to the critical needs created by the COVID-19 crisis. $25,000 will help the organization respond to increasing need from their growing client population, and $25,000 will support and expand the organization’s emergency financial assistance program through a new partnership to offer critical financial assistance for workers of New Canaan businesses.

NCCF’s COVID-19 Response Fund was created to mobilize private resources to support the emergency financial needs of New Canaan families and workers, help nonprofit organizations adapt to changing needs, and support critical services in lower Fairfield County.

In the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, P2P has seen the urgent need for food and financial assistance grow every week, with the organization providing 60% more financial assistance in May than in the month prior, and 90% more than one year ago. According to P2P CEO Nancy Coughlin, the economic toll of the crisis is reaching far and wide. “We are now seeing what it means to live paycheck-to-paycheck, with little savings or safety net to weather a crisis.” P2P offers food assistance through their three food pantries in Darien, Norwalk, and Stamford,and emergency financial assistance to help with rent and utilities, as well as summer camperships and college and vocational scholarships.

Coughlin expresses appreciation for the rapid response of NCCF to the COVID-19 crisis, saying “This generous support will expand our capability to respond to the immediate needs of those directly affected by the pandemic, including restaurant employees, retail employees and others struggling due to the closures of local businesses. We are proud to partner with NCCF to make sure employees of New Canaan businesses are able to remain in their homes, keep the utilities on, and feed their families.”

Lauren Patterson, President and CEO of NCCF shares why the partnership with P2P is so critical, explaining “Person-to-Person has been a long-time partner, and New Canaan Community Foundation is proud to continue relying on their expertise and commitment to serve our local community. P2P was one of our first grant investments when this crisis began, and then again when we saw a need to get additional emergency financial support to local families, as well as others who work in our towns and are part of the fabric of our community.”

If you are an employee of a New Canaan business affected by COVID-19 and are in need of financial assistance, please visit: bit.ly/P2PNewCanaan. Requests will be reviewed on a rolling basis and can help provide assistance with expenses such as rent, utilities, childcare, and medical expenses. All requests are kept strictly confidential. Individual requesting assistance must be an employee (or former employee as of mid-March) of a New Canaan small business.

About Person-to-Person

Person-to-Person, Inc. was established in 1968 to provide low-income individuals and families living in Lower Fairfield County with basic emergency services. A community-supported agency, Person-to-Person is committed to providing individuals and families with assistance for basic needs to overcome daily challenges and access to resources to improve their lives. With a vision of educated, financially stable, and hunger-free homes for all, programs include food and clothing assistance, emergency financial assistance, and Camperships and Scholarships. With locations in Darien and Norwalk, and a warehouse and mobile food pantry in Stamford, the Person-to-Person service area includes Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford, Weston, Westport, and Wilton. If you are in need of assistance, please call (203)655-0048.

For more information visit: www.p2phelps.org

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Instagram: @persontopersonct

Twitter: @p2phelps

About New Canaan Community Foundation

The New Canaan Community Foundation, founded in 1977, serves as New Canaan's local partner for advice, leadership, and facilitation of charitable giving. Their vision strives for a New Canaan that comes together to address both individual and local challenges, enriching the lives of all community members. To-date, the New Canaan Community Foundation has invested more than $15 million in nonprofit organizations, working with individuals and businesses to achieve their philanthropic goals through donor-advised funds and other partnerships. Learn more at www.newcanaancf.org