AVON, CT, May 4, 2021 – In response to the continued hardship brought on by the continued effects of the pandemic, generous donors have stepped up to support Gifts of Love.  In the first quarter of 2021, more than 400 individuals, corporations and foundations contributed over $220,000 to the Avon-based nonprofit.  The funds supported the Gifts of Love food and nutrition pantries, Weekend Food Backpack programs, clothes closets and linens and household goods rooms in their Avon and Hartford locations.

During that same period, over 1,200 adult and children were able to get access to wholesome food and the necessities they needed that would have been out of their reach.

“Unemployment and under employment are still very real parts of our clients’ lives,” says Ryan Pettengill, Gifts of Love’s Executive Director.  “Despite some encouraging news about the vaccine and the changing landscape of the pandemic, our clients are still struggling to support themselves and their families.  It is the continued generosity of our donors that helps us ease that burden, we are grateful and impressed with the dedication of our donors. We couldn’t have such a wide footprint in this area without them.”

Gifts of Love has introduced some new ways for individuals and companies to support them which helped raise their first quarter donations.  They recently launched an online platform that allows people to donate on a recurring basis and to round-up debit card purchases with the difference going to Gifts of Love.  In addition, they added a text-to-give option for donations.  They participate in the Amazon Smile Program which sends donations of 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible Amazon goods to them every time the donor shops for them.  In addition, 10% of the proceeds from the sale of branded Gifts of Love gear goes to support their programs.  “With the needs escalating, we knew we had to get creative,” says Pettengill.  “These programs make it easier to give and our donors have responded favorably.”

Those wishing to support Gifts of Love, can go to: GiftsOfLoveCT.org.

About Gifts of Love

Gifts of Love responds to the needs of individuals and their families who have been impacted by financial crises. During COVID-19, the nonprofit continues to accept and provide food, clothing and household goods and self-sufficiency consultation from its offices in Avon and Hartford. Most importantly, Gifts of Love provides a sense of hope to those in search of a better future. For over three decades, the organization has provided short-term programs and education that help working families attain financial independence. The Gifts of Love Farm is a certified-organic educational farm that provides their clients with fresh produce and serves the community with ongoing educational programs, incubator farming and internships programs and organic produce. For more information visit GiftsOfLoveCT.org.

Media Contact

Andrea Obston (aobston@aomc.com)

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