Seymour nonprofit to collect food, winter clothing for needy

2013 Thanksgiving food drive / Photo by Karen Fisher, board secretary, CT Partnership for Children

Connecticut Partnership for Children, Inc. is a Seymour nonprofit that serves children in need throughout the entire state by meeting basic needs. 

The organization is hosting the fifth annual Thanksgiving Food Program and the sixth Annual "Helping Hands, Warming Hearts" winter sponsorship program. 

These programs are sponsored by Stop & Shop, Derby Wal-mart, Great Expectations Day Care and Learning Center in Southbury, St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Oxford, Walnut Hill Community Church, Seymour Campus, and many individuals and businesses throughout the state. 

In 2013, the Thanksgiving Food Program served 101 families, an increase of 63 families from the previous year. 

Connecticut Partnership's goal is to serve 150 families this year. 
The agency provides a turkey, and asks for the non-perishable fixings from individual and business sponsors and donors. 

Donors have two options, to either sponsor a family or run a food drive. Meal distribution will be held Nov. 22; the deadline for items to be delivered to the agency is Nov. 17.

The "Helping Hands, Warming Hearts" winter sponsorship program provides brand new jackets, boots, hats, scarves, gloves, and books to children in need. Each year, this program has served approximately 200 children. 

The agency's goal for this year is to increase the number served to 250 children. Donors have two options: sponsor a child or provide an item in bulk. 

The agency provides size information, etc. to sponsors. These items will be delivered to the children on Dec. 22 and 23, and must be delivered to Connecticut Partnership no later than Dec. 15. 

For more information or to commit to sponsoring a family for Thanksgiving or a child for the winter program, call (203) 881-1804 or e-mail meghan@ctpfc.org.

This is a press release from Meghan Tarby, MSW, founder and executive director, Connecticut Partnership for Children, Inc.