Funds Will Provide Critical Support in Response to COVID-19 Crisis
Darien, CT May 18, 2020: Person-to-Person (P2P) is pleased to announce that they have received a generous $30,000 grant from Bank of America. The funds will support P2P’s response to the critical needs created by the COVID-19 crisis, expanding accessibility to their food assistance and emergency financial assistance programs.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, P2P has seen the urgent need for food and financial assistance increase daily. With job losses mounting, households with limited resources are struggling to meet even their most basic needs. As of April 15th, the Connecticut Department of Labor had received over 350,000 unemployment claims. In Fairfield County, with housing costs among the highest in the country, this loss of income for those already living paycheck-to-paycheck has created dire situations for families. Requests for food assistance at P2P have increased by over 50% in just the first few weeks of this crisis, and requests for rental/financial assistance have increased by 150%.
The social and economic toll of this crisis is disproportionately impacting low-income communities, according to P2P CEO Nancy Coughlin. “Providing access to these basic resources is critical to helping vulnerable populations weather this uncertain time and keep our communities strong, particularly in Fairfield County, which has been hit the hardest by the virus. We are grateful for the long-standing support from Bank of America, and for their ongoing commitment to advancing efforts to help low-income families gain financial stability.”
P2P offers food assistance through their three food pantries in Darien, Norwalk, and Stamford, as well as emergency financial assistance to help with rent and utilities, casework services, and campership and scholarship programs. Founded more than 50 years ago, P2P serves 25,000 people each year. More information can be found at www.p2phelps.org. If you are in need of assistance, please call (203)655-0048.
