VERNON, CT — Giving Tuesday falls on Dec. 1 this year, but you don't have to wait until then to make a difference close to home.
Throughout November, local nonprofits, food pantries, animal rescues, community organizations and other groups are looking for donations, volunteers and other forms of support. Whether you have a few hours to give, items to donate or simply want to support a local cause financially, there are plenty of ways to help.
Patch rounded up organizations and opportunities to give back in and around Vernon. Needs and volunteer opportunities can change, so check directly with each organization for the latest information.
Here are some ways to make a difference in Vernon this November:
The Hockanum Valley Community Council, based at 29 Naek Road in Vernon, has run a food pantry since 1970. It serves residents of Vernon, Tolland and Ellington, and the council also offers counseling, transportation and other basic-needs services.
Residents can donate non-perishable items such as peanut butter, jelly, canned tuna, pasta and sauce, cereal, macaroni and cheese and canned vegetables and fruit during pantry hours. Cash gifts are used to buy food at a reduced cost. Volunteers assist more than 400 families a week by checking clients in, bagging groceries, stocking shelves, delivering food to homebound seniors and helping with food drives and holiday dinners.
Learn more about volunteering with the Hockanum Valley Community Council.
The Cornerstone Foundation, a faith-based nonprofit at 15 Prospect St. in Rockville, works to keep people safe, fed, housed and clothed. Funded entirely by donations and grants, it runs a community kitchen, a food bank, a clothing bank, a diaper bank and three homeless shelters.
Volunteers work in areas including the kitchen, clothing bank, food pantry and shelter. Volunteers must be 18 or older, or 16 for the food pantry. Cornerstone accepts donations of non-perishable food, clean or gently used clothing and other items, and asks donors to call 860-871-1823 first to ask what's needed.
Learn more about volunteering with the Cornerstone Foundation.
The Vernon Pet Pantry, an extension of the Hockanum Valley Community Council's food pantry at 29 Naek Road, gives pet food and supplies to registered pantry clients in Tolland County so families don't have to choose between feeding themselves and feeding their pets.
It accepts dry or wet cat and dog food (wet food must be unopened), litter and new or like-new accessories and treats. Donations can be left in bins at participating local businesses or dropped off at the pantry during its regular hours.
Learn more about donating to the Vernon Pet Pantry.
The Vernon Senior Center, at 135 Bolton Road, serves adults 55 and older with a chef-prepared lunch program, fitness and wellness classes, trips, transportation and referrals to other agencies.
The town lists volunteer opportunities among the center's programs. Residents interested in helping can contact the center to ask about current openings.
Learn more about the Vernon Senior Center.
Vernon has more than 30 miles of trails, including the Hop River Rails-to-Trails, the Hockanum River Linear Park path and Valley Falls Park, and the town's Vernon Greenways Volunteers do the work of keeping them safe and clean.
Residents can join the volunteer group by emailing the address on the town's trails page. Through the town's Adopt a Vernon Trail program, individuals, families and businesses can also sponsor or volunteer to care for a specific trail.
Learn more about volunteering on Vernon's trails.
The Vernon ReStore, at 369 Talcottville Road, is a home improvement and donation center run by Habitat for Humanity of North Central Connecticut. It sells new and gently used furniture, home accessories, building materials and appliances at a fraction of retail prices, and proceeds help build and improve homes in Hartford and Tolland counties.
Residents can donate reusable items by following the ReStore's donation guidelines. Volunteers can also join the ReStore team.
Learn more about the Habitat for Humanity ReStore.
Not sure which cause to support? The Vernon Community Fund, part of the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation, pools donations to fund projects that improve life for Vernon residents. Recent grants have supported the Cornerstone Foundation's community kitchen and food pantry, Special Olympics Connecticut's Vernon program and the Vernon ROCKS Coalition.
Residents can donate to the fund through the foundation's website.
Learn more about donating to the Vernon Community Fund.
This isn't an exhaustive list of organizations doing good work in and around Vernon. Donation needs, volunteer opportunities and hours can change, so check directly with an organization for the latest information before donating or volunteering.
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