The Darien-based non-profit organization, Person-to-Person, was awarded a $7,500 grant from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation to support the agency’s emergency assistance program.  P2P's emergency assistance program provides financial support, clothing, food and supplies to individuals and families in Lower Fairfield County. 

Person-to-Person’s program focuses on helping low-income individuals and families at their point of need. In addition to food and other necessities, the program provides financial support for rent payments, security deposits, and utility bills. 

Hundreds of residents throughout Lower Fairfield County are in need of help. Take, for example, Ryan. With his unemployment benefits exhausted, and his two special needs children living with relatives, Ryan and his wife struggled to find a room in a homeless shelter. The program was able to help them with a security deposit so Ryan and his family could be together. P2P also referred Ryan to an employment program that will help him get back on his feet. 

“Thanks to the generosity of Bank of America, and other good corporate citizens like them, Person-to-Person is able to reach those who are struggling to feed their families and keep their children warm and is also able to provide services that offer those in crisis a brighter future,” said Ceci Maher, Executive Director,  Person-to-Person. 

The award from Bank of America comes on the heels of the November merger of Person-to-Person with Christian Community Action (CCA) of Norwalk, which provides emergency assistance to low-income individuals and families through its food pantry program, furniture program and other projects. 

“We live and work in lower Fairfield County, and are well aware of the serious issues facing our communities,” said Bill Tommins, Southern Connecticut market president, Bank of America. “These funds build on our longstanding partnership with Person-to-Person, and will help the organization continue to address the critical needs of local residents.”