Page 2 - 2020 Year in Review
P. 2
We gave out 4,759
CARE AND ADVOCACY bags of pet food
The pandemic increased the need for care for our neighbors
beyond nutrition. Our case manager conducted homeless We handed out 5,270
intakes, referred others to substance use disorder treatment, hygiene bags,
distributed emergency financial assistance and helped patrons averaging 440 per
apply for benefits among many other things. month.
Also, on December 21, we hosted Homeless Persons’ Memorial We provided 2,205
Day with Generations Family Health Center for 13 people who showers.
experienced homelessness in Norwich and passed away in
2020. This candlelit service takes place on the longest night of We distributed over
the year, the winter solstice. Eleven of the 13 people had been 1,000 new and gently
used coats, hats,
placed in housing at the time of their passing.
scarves, and gloves
DINING ROOM DURING THE PANDEMIC
We reconfigured our daily community meals program to freshly
prepared complete meals in insulated containers. This allowed
people to eat outside, onsite, take home and home deliveries.
We collaborated with local authorities to modify our dining room
to eight tables and chairs to allow individuals without a place to
go during the day to remain inside to eat and rest.
We averaged 325 meals per day in 2020 up from 250 in
2019. In addition to hot breakfast and lunch, patrons could take
fresh produce donated from local grocery stores and farms.
The pandemic also disrupted our supply chains. Many local
businesses, churches, and private donors helped us remain
open:
United Community & Family Big Y provided lunch meat and cheese for two months
Services (UCFS) community Norwich AOK (Acts of Kindness) mobilized donations to
health worker Almeyda shows purchase meals from local restaurants for our patrons,
off produce donated from Stop including LaStella Pizzeria, Voc’s Westside Pizza, Tulli’s
& Shop and local farms. Family Pizza, Manny’s Restaurant, Uncle D’s Blazing BBQ.
Almeyda works 20 hrs/wk at
SVDPP to connect patrons Employees of Adult Probation, various churches and other
with local resources. She is individuals made sandwiches in our kitchen or in their homes
bilingual (English/ French for distribution at St. Vincent de Paul Place.
Creole).
“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by
the compassionate actions of its members.”
Coretta Scott King
