GREENWICH — The town of Greenwich is asking for the public’s help in spreading holiday cheer by making sure that every resident can enjoy a holiday meal.
Under the Holiday Aid program, gift cards are purchased at Stop & Shop and Acme and given to needy residents and families so they can purchase all the ingredients required for a holiday meal.
The number of residents served by the program increased again this year, with 436 households in Greenwich receiving help, Brush said. About two-thirds of those are families, which increases the need for larger gift cards. That prompted the call for additional help from the community, she said.
“We get a lot of families through this program, so we need a lot of support so we can get these cards for everyone in the program,” Brush said. With gift cards, a family can purchase whatever they enjoy the most for their holiday meal.
Town residents who earn no more than 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines are eligible for the program.
Brush was quick to thank the regular donors for their help over the years and was hoping to sign up new supporters.
* mail a check to the Greenwich Department of Human Services Fund Inc., 101 Field Point Road, Greenwich, CT 06830.
Through the support of donors, the program goes back decades with the tradition of helping at both Thanksgiving and Christmas. During Thanksgiving the donors usually pay for gift baskets to be delivered to eligible people in town that includes all the ingredients, including a turkey, for people to have a traditional meal.
The Holiday Aid program is one of several initiatives run through the Department of Human Services this time of year. On Dec. 15, the department will visit Agnes Morley Heights and give out unwrapped toys. On Dec. 18, it will distribute gifts from its Angel Tree to needy families in town.