Listen to our CEO, Nancy Coughlin, on the 0684-Radi0 podcast, hosted by Michael Dinan. In this episode, Nancy shares the inspiring story of how Person to Person was founded in 1968 and how we’ve grown over the years. She also discusses the vital role that New Canaan residents play in our mission to support families with food, clothing, and housing assistance. With a 30% increase in the number of local residents served this year, the need continues to grow. Tune in to learn more about how we’re working together to build a stronger community.
Click on image to listen to the full interview.
As the First Lady of Norwalk, Lucia Rilling was drawn to Person to Person for its meaningful work in supporting the community. Now a board member and active supporter, Lucia is particularly passionate about helping immigrants and underserved families access the resources they need to adapt and thrive in a new country. With a unique upbringing and a strong belief in helping others, Lucia is deeply involved in P2P’s efforts, from volunteering at events to guiding the organization’s mission of providing critical support.
Click on image to discover more about Lucia’s journey and why she chooses to support P2P.
At Person to Person (P2P), we’re thrilled to announce the exciting expansion of our P2P on Wheels program with the launch of a second mobile food pantry. This addition doubles our capacity to serve more families and individuals across Stamford, delivering fresh groceries and essential support services directly to neighborhoods in need.
Along with nutritious food, our bilingual caseworkers will be there to help clients access additional resources like housing assistance, financial support, and job training—support that can make a real difference in people’s lives.
At Person to Person (P2P), we’re thrilled to announce the exciting expansion of our P2P on Wheels program with the launch of a second mobile food pantry. This addition doubles our capacity to serve more families and individuals across Stamford, delivering fresh groceries and essential support services directly to neighborhoods in need.
Along with nutritious food, our bilingual caseworkers will be there to help clients access additional resources like housing assistance, financial support, and job training—support that can make a real difference in people’s lives.
We’re thrilled to introduce “Share a Shift”—a volunteer model offering flexibility while making a meaningful impact in Stamford. With increasing demand for our services, your help is more crucial than ever.
Why “Share a Shift”?
– Flexible Scheduling: Create or join a team to volunteer on your terms.
– Shared Responsibility: Teams commit to a weekly shift, with each member covering just a few hours a month.
– Mutual Support: Team members back each other up, ensuring shifts are always covered.
Evening and Saturday shifts will be available soon, making it easier than ever to get involved and make a difference in our Stamford community.
We recently hosted Rep. Jim Himes on our mobile food pantry, P2P On Wheels, in Stamford. He rode in the pantry from our warehouse to Domus and helped a P2P client shop for groceries.
P2P On Wheels has revolutionized the concept of “getting food where it needs to be,” bringing our food pantry and casework teams directly to Stamford neighborhoods. Each day, we feed 40-50 families, and in September, we’ll be launching a second mobile food pantry to support another 40-50 families daily!
P2P On Wheels offers free grocery items, including fresh produce, dairy, meat, and shelf-stable goods, ensuring three meals a day for seven days for every family member. Shopping visits are by appointment after meeting with a P2P Caseworker.
Stop by our booth at the New Canaan Village Fair and Sidewalk Sale to learn about the services P2P offers. From healthy food and clothing to emergency financial assistance and access to job training, we’re here to support community stability.
We’ll be sharing information about “Holidays in August,” our summer toy drive for the annual Toy Store. Discover how you can donate, volunteer, or host a toy drive. Also explore the many volunteer opportunities at P2P and see how you can make a real difference.
We can’t wait to see you there!
Join us on Thursday, July 25, at Alive At Five in Mill River Park, Stamford Downtown, for a special fundraising event to help fill our food pantries. Starting at 5 PM, enjoy live music from Sublime with Rome on the Poland Spring® Stage, along with delicious food from a variety of food trucks and a wide selection of beer, wine, and cocktails.
P2P volunteers will be on-site accepting donations to support our mission of providing essential resources to those in need. Your contributions make a significant impact on our community. Come out for a fantastic evening and help us make a difference!
Click on image to purchase tickets.
Since 1969, P2P has been providing children with Camperships. On July 10, some Roscco summer program campers enjoyed a special picnic organized by OPUS for Person to Person. The kids dug into delicious pizza, created arts and crafts, and were wowed by The Amazing Andy’s magic, topped off with Mr. Softee ice cream!
Summer camp offers a fun and enriching experience for the kids while giving their parents peace of mind. Thanks to OPUS and our supporters, these children are making wonderful summer memories. Here’s to more summers of fun, magic, and ice cream!
The holiday season at P2P is a time of joy and generosity. Each year, the P2P Toy Store makes magic happen for low-income children in Fairfield County. This annual event ensures that our neighbors have gifts for their children during this special time of year.
Help P2P get a head start collecting toys for over 2,000 local children to enjoy during the 2024 holiday season by donating a new toy or gift, book or board game for ages 0-15!
Click on image for full details.
Summer should be a time of joy and adventure for all children, but for many families, it’s a season filled with worry instead of wonder. P2P has launched its 2024 Campership Appeal to address this, giving children who might not otherwise have it the chance to enjoy a summer of fun, learning, and growth at camp. For 50 years, our program has transformed summer into a time of safe, enriching experiences that also support academic performance and family stability.
Just $700 covers a full summer of camp for one child, providing them with a treasure trove of experiences and peace of mind for their families. Join us in making a significant difference—every donation helps bring summer magic to life for these deserving kids.
Click on image to donate.
Join the P2P team at a Volunteer Open House to learn about our upcoming volunteer opportunities and make a difference in the lives of our neighbors. Open Houses will be held at our Darien location in front of the food pantry at the following times:
Tuesdays: May 7, 14, 21, & 28; June 4, 11, 18, & 25 from 3 to 5pm
Thursdays: May 9, 16, 23, & 30; June 6, 13, 20, & 27 from 11am to 1pm
Volunteers are the backbone of our operations, and we rely on their dedication and generosity to operate our food pantries, clothing center, mobile food pantries and reception areas. If you’re interested in learning more about how you can help, we’d love to have you join us!
P2P is thrilled to announce an exciting partnership with the legendary Bruce Springsteen to combat hunger and fill our pantries with much-needed food. For over 30 years, Springsteen has been supporting local food banks through fundraising and generous personal donations. Now, as part of his 2024 world tour, he’s taking his commitment to the next level by joining forces with local organizations like P2P to encourage fans to contribute to this important cause.
Click on image to donate.
Person to Person is pleased to announce the appointment of Corey Paris as its Chief Impact Officer. In this newly created role, Paris will bring his extensive experience in fundraising, advocacy, and government relations to drive forward P2P’s philanthropic initiatives.
Paris expressed his excitement about joining P2P, stating, “I am honored to join Person to Person as Chief Impact Officer and contribute to the organization’s vital work in serving our community. I look forward to leveraging my experience and passion for social impact to advance P2P’s commitment to providing essential resources, empowering individuals and families to achieve economic stability.”
Explore Person to Person’s work in the latest issue of Stamford Magazine (March/April). The feature highlights P2P’s initiatives addressing essential needs including food, clothing assistance, emergency financial aid, and pathways to economic security. Sixty percent of our clients are from Stamford and the article discusses the expansion of our services in the city, including a second mobile food pantry and the growth of our Financial Opportunity Center. A sidebar also highlights UCONN student Katerine Gonzalez, a P2P scholarship recipient, who shared her journey at our Transforming Lives Luncheon last October. Click the image to read the full article and learn more about our transformative efforts.
In the aftermath of the assassination of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on April 4, 1968, The Rev. Dr. Robert Nelson Back, rector of Saint Luke’s Parish in Darien, Connecticut, who attended seminary with Dr. King, convened with Jean Sherman, a dedicated parish member. Their shared concern for the pressing civil rights issues of the time led them to contemplate how residents of Darien could actively respond to this pivotal moment in history.
Click on the image to read more about Person to Person’s founding and history.
Please join us on Thursday, April 4 at The Loading Dock, situated alongside P2P’s Stamford warehouse and mobile food pantry, for an unforgettable evening: Rock N’ Raise. The event will include a plated dinner, crafted signature cocktails, a thrilling live auction, and live entertainment by The Nerds—an electrifying rock n’ roll cover band.
Funds raised will directly support P2P’s programs that offer area residents the opportunity for a financially stable future.
To get your tickets or secure your sponsorship click on the image above.
We need your help. The demand for food assistance in our community has been steadily increasing and shows no sign of slowing down. At the same time, the cost of food has been on the rise, making it more challenging for us to meet the needs of those we serve.
Every day, more and more families are struggling to put food on the table. The reality is that we are now facing a critical food shortage, and we can’t do this alone. We need your support to keep our mission alive and continue helping those in need.
Your contribution will make a difference in the lives of our neighbors. Together, we can make a significant impact on alleviating hunger in our community. Thank you for your support!
Clause for a Cause is making a comeback this year, and this time, Santa is rolling up to your doorstep in style—on a blazing fire engine! All thanks to OPUS, a volunteer organization committed to supporting P2P.
Picture the blaring sirens, the flashing lights, and the unmistakable joy of Santa Claus himself perched atop a roaring fire truck, ready to spread holiday cheer. This unique experience is not one to be missed.
Clause for a Cause is exclusively for OPUS members. If you’re not yet part of OPUS but want in on the festive excitement, email Mariana Kniffin at [email protected].
Register now for Clause for a Cause and let Santa, with all his sirens and festive fanfare, bring the magic straight to your doorstep!
In Fairfield County families face uncertainties daily and your support helps us make a significant impact.
This year, we will assist 28,000 individuals with essential services such as healthy food, clothing, housing assistance, and pathways to stability. Your contribution creates opportunities for our neighbors.
Thank you for investing in the well-being of our community.
Person to Person will be hosting its Holiday Toy Store again this year and we need your help! Toy Store provides joy to 2,000 children from lower-income families. Volunteers play a key role in this highly-anticipated event, ensuring a seamless experience and embodying the spirit of community.
P2P’s Holiday Toy Store highlights the positive impact of teamwork, as volunteers and organizers come together to spread warmth and generosity, making the holidays special for all.
Help P2P by signing up to volunteer at this year’s Toy Store!
The City of Stamford is partnering with Congregation Agudath Sholom to spread love and positivity throughout the community with random acts of kindness.
All community members, organizations, and local businesses are encouraged to participate!
As part of the project, please consider volunteering for Person to Person! We rely on volunteers to bring our programs and services to life for the thousands who rely on us each week. Volunteer opportunities exist for individuals, groups, and businesses.
Let’s make this holiday season unforgettable by spreading kindness throughout Stamford! Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those around us.
Each year, Person to Person (P2P) hosts its Annual Holiday Toy Store, a heartwarming event that helps ensure 2,000 children from lower-income families experience the joy of the holiday season. At the Holiday Toy Store, parents can select a toy, a book, and a stuffed animal for each of their children as well as a family board game. This initiative helps alleviate the financial strain on parents, allowing them to provide gifts to their children without compromising on essential expenses. P2P’s Holiday Toy Store unites the community to bring joy to every child, regardless of their financial situation.
Help P2P get a head start collecting toys for over 2,000 local children to enjoy during the 2023 holiday season by donating a new toy, book or board game for ages 0-15!
The city of Norwalk and local nonprofits have partnered to create a COVID-19 Housing Relief Assistance Program, funded with $500,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act.
”We know in, especially in Fairfield County and throughout Connecticut and actually many other places, housing is getting much more expensive,” Mayor Harry Rilling said when the program was announced on Monday. “People are having much more difficult times paying their mortgage, paying their rent, and that could be a struggle, especially after COVID, with people losing their jobs, people not being able to return to work.”
State, nonprofit programs try to tackle multiple issues families face at once, from housing assistance to financial resources
For decades, the social services nonprofit Person to Person, housed on the campus of Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church in Darien, has provided food, clothing and emergency cash assistance to thousands of Fairfield County families in need.
This year, the organization added a new service aimed at helping many of those same clients find and pursue career opportunities, providing financial coaching as families move toward self-sufficiency. The program quickly surpassed its planned enrollment of 150 clients for the pilot year.
We invite you to join us on October 20th for our annual Transforming Lives Luncheon, where we are delighted to welcome Andrea Elliott as our special guest speaker. Andrea Elliott, a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, is an investigative journalist and the author of “Invisible Child,” which received the 2022 Pulitzer Prize in General Nonfiction. Additionally, it was chosen by Barack Obama as one of his favorite books of the year.
Before the luncheon, we are delighted to invite you to join us for a special Meet and Greet session with Andrea Elliott, scheduled from 11:00 – 11:45am. As a token of our appreciation, guests will receive a personalized, signed copy of “Invisible Child.” Please note that space for this event is limited, so be sure to secure your spot early!
Join the P2P team at a Volunteer Open House to learn about our upcoming volunteer opportunities and make a difference in the lives of those in need. Open Houses will be held at our Darien location in front of the food pantry at the following times:
Wednesday, September 20: 10am – 12pm; 3:30 – 5:30pm
Thursday, September 21: 3:30 – 5:30pm
Friday, September 22: 10am – 12pm
Volunteers are the backbone of our operations, and we rely on their dedication and generosity to operate our food pantries, clothing center, mobile food pantries and reception areas. If you’re interested in learning more about how you can help, we’d love to have you join us!
P2P will be the beneficiary of the Feeding Our Families Food Drive at four Stop & Shop locations on Saturday, Sept. 9 from 8am – 6pm. Please visit and make a donation or click to sign up and volunteer to collect and sort food donations. Locations include:
380 Main Ave (off Merritt Pkwy.), Norwalk
385 Connecticut Ave., Norwalk
25 Old Kings Hwy., Darien
2200 Bedford St., Stamford
Your contribution will go a long way in helping us make a difference in the lives of families in need.
All P2P sites will be operating on a modified schedule Wednesday, August 9. Below are hours of operation for each site:
Stamford Mobile Food Pantry
2 – 4pm
ICCNY
1558 Washington Blvd
Darien
Drive Thru Pantry
11:00am – 12:30pm
Self-Select Pantry
1:30 – 3pm
Clothing Center
11:00am – 1pm
Norwalk Pantry
Grab ‘n Go
10:30am – 12pm
Self-Select
12:30 – 2:30pm
Join us at the Transforming Lives Luncheon on October 20, 2023, featuring two-time Pulitzer winner Andrea Elliott.
Elliott is an investigative journalist and the author of Invisible Child, which won the 2022 Pulitzer Prize in General Nonfiction and was chosen by Barack Obama as a favorite book of the year. She’ll be discussing her book which follows the journey of a young girl navigating the challenges of growing up homeless in Brooklyn.
The holiday season at P2P is a time of joy and generosity. Each year, the P2P Toy Store makes magic happen for low-income children in Fairfield County. This annual event ensures that our neighbors can have gifts for their children during this special time of year.
Help P2P get a head start collecting toys for over 2,000 local children to enjoy during the 2023 holiday season by donating a new toy, book or board game for ages 0-15!
We’ve launched our annual Campership appeal and need your support!
Your participation will provide children with access to a fun and joyful camp experience, while giving their parents peace of mind knowing their chidren are in a safe enriching environment while they are at work.
P2P has been provoding children with Camperships since 1969. Since 2014, P2P has made it possible for 3,500 children to attend area camps.
Amy and Joe Gold pledge $100,000 to a Challenge Campaign to support P2P’s Financial Opportunity Center. The Golds will match each gift dollar for dollar up to $100,000, doubling the impact of the P2P FOC on the Stamford Community.
Your support will assure a strong start to a transformational career-coaching program.
