Person to Person manages and executes critical programs every day that transform the lives of our clients. Our diversity of programs that focus on the well-being of our clients and the community is part of what makes P2P unique. Essential needs are more than food and housing; it’s about the well-being of the individuals and families we serve.
P2P provides essential services to residents of lower Fairfield County, including:
- Food Assistance
- Casework Assistance
- Financial Opportunity Center
- Clothing and Care Programs
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Scholarships and Mentorships
- Camperships
- Seasonal Programs
- And more
P2P is here to help. Contact our team at 203-655-0048 or email caseworkservices@p2pHelps.org.
Food Assistance
Providing healthy, nutritious food is a key cornerstone of P2P’s mission. Food insecurity, as well as health insecurity, are growing problems and we are dedicated to ensuring that all individuals and families have access to healthy and nutritious food. Our extensive food program makes this happen.
P2P Programs Get Food Where It Needs 2 Be
Three Food Pantries
P2P’s three full-time food pantries, in Darien, Norwalk, and Stamford, are the cornerstone of our extensive and hands-on food assistance program. The pantries remained open during the pandemic, with a few adjustments for staff, volunteers, and clients, as well as our food partners and providers.
Each of our pantries was founded on facilitating a highly personal experience, to ensure a level of dignity and respect for each person we serve.
A Focus on Healthy, Nutritious Food
P2P is committed not just to providing area residents with food, but with nutritious food to support health and wellbeing. That’s why fresh fruits and vegetables are always the first item you see when entering one of our three food pantries, and there is never a limit on how much a household can take. We know that healthy food is a matter of public health.
Unity Garden
P2P is fortunate to have access to a beautiful, fenced-in garden on the St. Luke’s Church campus. The ‘Unity Garden’ plays a special role at P2P, nourishing both body and mind.
An important part of P2P’s food programs is providing healthy, nutritious food. We are happy that we can share the produce grown in our garden with food pantry clients.
The garden also serves an important role in teaching about food, where it comes from and how to cultivate it. In addition to the P2P Garden Committee overseeing stewardship of the garden, it’s also a wonderful place for volunteers of all ages. If you’d like to help our garden grow, please email Juri Garone at jurigarone@p2pHelps.org about opportunities.
P2P on Wheels
Launched in 2018, P2P on Wheels (aka: Phil the Truck) revolutionized the concept of “getting food where it needs to be”, bringing our food pantry and casework teams right in Stamford residents’ own neighborhoods. In the first year after the launch of P2P on Wheels, P2P distributed 25% more food to Stamford residents. P2P partners with local Stamford agencies, allowing us to reach families, seniors, immigrants and new Americans, and those on the edge of homelessness.
P2P On Wheels offers Stamford residents the opportunity to select free grocery items — including fresh produce, dairy items, meat and poultry, shelf-stable goods — to prepare three meals a day for seven days for every member of the family. All pantry shopping visits are by appointment following an initial meeting with a P2P Caseworker.
Door2Door Home Delivery
Our Door2Door home delivery program was launched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, when many of our existing and new clients were unable to leave home to obtain groceries. Groceries are pre-packed at our food pantries and delivered to clients’ homes by trained P2P volunteers. During the height of the pandemic, Door2Door volunteers delivered enough groceries for 365,694 meals.
Holiday Meal Programs
P2P offers a variety of holiday meal programs, including Thanksgiving Turkeys and Meals.
Clothing & Care Programs
Clothing Center
P2P operates a clothing center at its Darien site, with new and gently used clothing and shoes for men, women, and children available at no-cost.
For clients, clothing is available by appointment or at a regularly scheduled ‘pop up shop’ at the Darien site. Clothing is available to all who request it, no residency requirements. Please call 203-655-0048 for details or to schedule an appointment.
For donors, clothing may be donated at our Darien site, Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 1:00pm. Please sort donations by gender and size and place them in bags with gender and size written on the outside. Note: P2P does not accept strollers, car seats, used toys, electronics, books, household appliances, or furniture.
Annual Coat Give-Away to the Public
Look for details coming this fall about P2P’s 15th Annual Coat Give-Away.
Household Items
Household and personal items such as cleaning and laundry supplies, personal products (soap, shampoo, and toothpaste), and feminine products are welcome donations. Click here for a list of most needed items.
For clients, please call 203-655-0048 to speak with a caseworker about your specific request.
Baby Basics and New Family Support
An initiative of OPUS for Person to Person, and in partnership with Stamford Hospital and Norwalk Hospital social work teams, P2P provides layettes and new car seats to parents of infants born at Stamford Hospital and Norwalk Hospital. From January 2019–June 2020, more than 130 layette bundles were donated to new families.
Financial Opportunity Center
P2P is Connecticut’s newest Financial Opportunity Center® (FOC). FOCs are career and financial coaching service centers that help families living on a low to moderate income build sustaining careers and achieve financial success. The cornerstone of LISC’s FOC model is providing services in an integrated way – rather than as stand-alone services – with a long-term commitment to helping clients reach their goals. The program provides three integrated service pillars: employment services, one-on-one financial coaching, and income support services. P2P was selected to become the 6th FOC in CT-serving the Stamford community.
If you are interested in learning more about this program, or eligibility requirements please contact caseworkservices@p2phelps.org or call (203) 655-0048.
For more information on LISC’s FOCs please access: https://www.foc-network.org/
Emergency Financial Assistance
Person to Person caseworkers assess immediate need and help clients plan for the future while providing financial assistance for rent, utilities, childcare, skills training, some medical expenses, security deposits and eviction prevention.
Casework Support
Person to Person offers trained, bilingual caseworkers to meet with and support clients.
Emergency Financial Assistance
Person to Person caseworkers speak with clients one-on-one to assess immediate needs and help clients plan for the future while providing financial assistance for rent, utilities, childcare, skills training, some medical expenses, security deposits and eviction prevention.
Emergency Financial Assistance is available to residents of Norwalk, Stamford, Darien, New Canaan, Weston, Westport and Wilton.
For more information, email Casework Services.
Links to Other Resources in Connecticut
Information is available about other services in Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford, Weston, Westport, Wilton and the State of Connecticut.
For information on Emergency Resources 24/7, dial 2-1-1 on your phone or visit Connecticut 2-1-1 online
Scholarships and Mentorships
Scholarships
P2P is committed to providing young people with the financial assistance to continue their undergraduate education. Many scholarship opportunities are available, and we encourage you to explore the ways P2P can assist you.
Mentoring 4 Success
Mentoring 4 Success is a combined scholarship and mentoring program. Mentoring 4 Success Scholarships are granted to incoming first-year college students who have a desire to work collaboratively with a P2P mentor through his or her four years in college.
Camperships
Through the P2P Campership Program, Stamford school children have the opportunity to attend local summer day camps where they can build life skills, make friends, and have fun. Camp offers peace of mind for working parents and reduces childcare concerns, while keeping children safe and engaged.
All children considered for Camperships live in low-income households in Stamford and are referred through their schools. Typically, P2P Camperships serve approximately 15% of the total number of children who qualify for free or reduced meal programs, a primary criterion for consideration.
Other Resources
Holiday Programs
P2P offers two programs to help you and your family have a happy holiday.
Dove Program
This program provides a full day of food at the holidays for approximately 800 seniors and families, fulfilled through partnerships with local community groups and churches.
Holiday Toy Store
P2P’s Holiday Toy Store brings joy to thousands of local children and families each year. Prior to the pandemic, families could ‘shop’ for age-appropriate toys and books displayed in our ‘shop’. Post-pandemic, P2P provides holiday gift bundles for each family based on the number of children and ages.
