Person-to-Person Needs Your Help to Stamp Out Hunger

The National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive is Saturday, May 12

Letter Carriers in Darien, Norwalk and Wilton are delivering grocery bags to postal customers this week in advance of the annual National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive on Saturday, May 12. “Stamp Out Hunger” is the largest food drive for Person-to-Person each year.

With 9% percent of Fairfield County households living below the poverty level and another 23% struggling to afford the basic needs of food, clothing and shelter, hunger and food insecurity is an issue for many of our neighbors. The number of people living in poverty plus those who earn less than the basic cost-of-living is significant in the communities served by the P2P Food Pantries in Darien and Norwalk – 11% of Weston households, 12% of Wilton households, 14% of New Canaan households, 16% of Darien households, 16% of Westport households, 35% of Stamford households and 36% of Norwalk households [Source: United Way ALICE Project].

During the summer months, Food Pantry demand increases because many families are providing three meals a day to children who qualify for free and reduced-price meals during the school year.

In preparation for the food drive, various volunteer groups have been stapling the suggested shopping list of non-perishable foods to 6,000 grocery bags for Darien, 24,500 grocery bags for Norwalk and 6,000 grocery bags for Wilton. Whether you receive a grocery bag or not, we encourage you to leave a bag of shelf-stable items at your mailbox on the morning of Saturday, May 12 or drop it off at the local Post Office in Darien, Norwalk or Wilton.

Person-to-Person, Inc. was established in 1968 to provide low-income individuals and families living in Lower Fairfield County with basic emergency services. A community-supported agency, Person-to-Person is committed to helping clients achieve self-sufficiency through practical help, advocacy, education and problem-solving initiatives. Programs include Emergency Assistance, Campership and Scholarship. With offices in Darien and Norwalk, the Person-to-Person service area includes Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford, Weston, Westport and Wilton. More information may be found at the P2P website.