To the Editor: Making the Bowl S(o)uper

I’m a volunteer at NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR. I am not the official spokesperson. I am just another caring volunteer — a former client with a debt of gratitude.

NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR is the only food pantry in Greenwich and provides free food to those in Greenwich in need. They may be unemployed or they may be experiencing financial hardship because of serious medical reasons. They have one thing in common. All are in immediate need of supplemental food to feed themselves and their families. (Note: The latest Census from 2008 found 1 in 5 people in Greenwich live below the State’s self sufficiency standard and almost 1 in 20 live in poverty.)

Because of the tough economy and lingering high unemployment, NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR has seen a 50% increase in pleas for help in the past 2 years. As an active volunteer, I can tell you Neighbor receives the bulk of its donations during the holiday season and while we can usually depend on these donations to carry us into the spring, with the increased usage, we are now running low on food. As a former recipient, I can assure you this organization is a God-send in times of dire need.

You may be aware of the national SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY program which helps increase awareness about hunger and results in donations of much needed food to Neighbor. This timing is particularly important this year as Neighbor works to keep Greenwich families fed. (SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY is a usually youth-led, faith-based, initiative to raise hunger awareness and support the local agencies addressing this issue.)

Neighbor needs the help of many to keep our shelves stocked; and we are hoping your church, synagogue or civic organization will consider doing a “Souper Bowl Sunday” food collection for all our families in need. If you decide to participate, 100% of  your proceeds from your Mission effort goes to the local hunger agency of your choice. I, and the many other volunteers hope, you will choose to support NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR during this S(o)uper Bowl. More importantly, our recipients will be very appreciative. If you are an individual who would like to help support Neighbor in their efforts to keep up with the still growing need, please consider a donation of food or funding today.

If you already support Neighbor to Neighbor, I want to assure you you are helping make a tremendous difference in the lives of many people in Greenwich. Thank You!

Tim Bassford
Neighbor to Neighbor Volunteer
(and former recipient)

Neighbor to Neighbor website: http://www.n-to-n.org/
Neighbor to Neighbor: (203) 622-9208.
Souper Bowl Sunday Website: http://www.souperbowl.org/