Greenwich Legislative Delegation Visits Local Charity “Neighbor to Neighbor”

Sen. L. Scott Frantz (R-36) and Rep. Fred Camillo (R-151) help volunteers unload donated clothing and food at Greenwich-based Neighbor to Neighbor.

Greenwich, CT – The Greenwich legislative delegation today paid a visit to Greenwich-based charity Neighbor to Neighbor to highlight the need for donations and volunteers at all charities and non-profits this holiday season. Senator L. Scott Frantz (R-36), Representative Livvy Floren (R- 149), Representative Lile Gibbons (R-150) and Representative Fred Camillo (R-151) spent time with administrators and volunteers at Neighbor to Neighbor learning about what the program needs and how the community can help.

“The work being done by Neighbor to Neighbor provides an invaluable resource to those in need,” said Senator Frantz. “Now more than ever, the community must continue to do its part to support that work here, and at charities throughout the area. Whether it’s money, food, clothing or time, just a little bit will go a long way.”

Neighbor to Neighbor was established by a small group of volunteers in 1975 in Christ Church to give free food and clothing to people with emergency needs in Greenwich, Stamford and Port Chester. Today, the group provides ongoing food and clothing assistance to families and individuals in Greenwich and emergency food and clothing assistance to the surrounding area.

Rep. Livvy Floren said, “During this economic downturn, Neighbor to Neighbor has seen an unprecedented increase in demand for assistance from local residents. November was a record month in terms of the number of Greenwich residents needing food assistance. I urge anyone who is able to donate volunteer time, money or non-perishable foodstuffs to this great program.”

Rep. Lile Gibbons added, “Neighbor to Neighbor is an important organization in the Town of Greenwich especially as more families are depending on private donations for their basic needs from food to clothing.”

“We all know time is very valuable to people but time is what Neighbor to Neighbor needs most this holiday season. Please come help out, if you can,” said Rep. Fred Camillo.

Last year alone, Neighbor to Neighbor distributed more than 245,000 meals and the level of need in the community is increasing. In fact, Neighbor to Neighbor officials say that in the first quarter of this Fiscal Year, they have already distributed 50% more meals than during the same time period last year. The need for clothing assistance is also on the rise. More than 1,500 individuals from the greater Greenwich community receive clothing each month from Neighbor to Neighbor. This year, 21% more clients are in need of clothing assistance.

“Neighbor could not be more pleased to welcome the efforts of the Greenwich Delegation to raise awareness of our needs,” said Neighbor to Neighbor Executive Director Cathy Lynch. “In particular, we are in urgent need of volunteers and food and/or monetary donations to help us provide for the record number of needy clients coming to us for help. Last year, volunteers generously donated over 14,000 hours of time to help make our work possible; we are grateful to each and every one of them.”